(April 17, 2018) – Fun, food and flowers will fill The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) this week. The university is celebrating the 41st annual Fiesta UTSA and it’s expected to be bigger and better than ever. “Las Flores de Tejas” is the theme of this year’s family-friendly event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, April 20 in the Sombrilla Plaza on the UTSA Main Campus. Fiesta UTSA is free and open to the public.
“During Fiesta UTSA, you get to see another side of our students working and having fun. It’s a little taste of Fiesta on our campus,” said Destiny Jones ’14, an educational leadership and policy studies graduate student, who along with about 20 member of Roadrunner Productions, will bring Fiesta UTSA to life.
The heart of campus, the Sombrilla, will beat with more than 100 food and activity booths, the largest number of participating organizations in Fiesta UTSA history. Students will be selling food, drinks, Fiesta medals and other items to raise funds for student organizations.
“I love that this event connects UTSA to San Antonio,” said Analicia Gonzales, UTSA associate director of student activities. “We are one of the nonprofits raising money during Fiesta. UTSA makes contributions to the community and, through Fiesta UTSA, the community can also contribute back to UTSA.”
New this year, more than 500 students in the business pathway course will use Fiesta as an educational opportunity. They’ll be conducting an experiential learning project by creating a business, selling items then gauging the success of the business. The money they raise will fund the course during the fall 2018 semester.
Campus Services is also asking the community to bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the Roadrunner Pantry for a free Fiesta medal in return while supplies last. Just look for the Campus Services booth in the Sombrilla.
Fiesta goers of all ages will also enjoy games, live music by a Fiesta UTSA favorite, The e7 Band, dancers, a performance by the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team and cascarones.
The Fiesta royalty will continue its tradition by appearing at UTSA. Miss Fiesta San Antonio Carla Juarez, a 2017 UTSA graduate, and the rest of the royalty will parade to the stage around 1:30 p.m. for a special presentation.
This is also President Taylor Eighmy’s first Fiesta.
“I’m excited to see what he thinks of this event and our involvement with Fiesta San Antonio as a whole,” Gonzales said. “Someone will have to get him with a cascarone.”
