From the colorful papel picado banners to the smell of fried foods and flying cascarone confetti, the UTSA Main Campus will transform this Friday for one of the university’s oldest and largest annual celebrations.
The UTSA and San Antonio communities are invited from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, April 1 for Día en la Sombrilla. The free, family-friendly event will take place on the campus’ Sombrilla and Central Plazas.
Formerly known as Fiesta UTSA, the annual celebration is part of Fiesta San Antonio.
Dia en la Sombrilla will feature live entertainment from The E7 Band, as well as music from Mariachi Nuevo Estilo and DJ Gumby. The line-up of guests representing this year’s Fiesta San Antonio will be announced at 1:30 p.m.
More than 60 registered student organizations will host booths. The University College will also use Día en la Sombrilla as an educational opportunity, as part of its Academic Introduction & Strategies curriculum. The event will serve as an experiential learning project for the students, as they create a business, sell items and measure success. The money they raise will fund course activities for the next semester.
The campus tradition, which began in 1978, continues to grow and evolve. The theme of this year’s event, “Explore Discover Reclamar,” marks the re-envisioning of the celebration and its return after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Students will be selling food, drinks and other items to raise funds for student organizations. The event is hosted by Roadrunner Productions, a sponsored student organization focused on fostering and building traditions and community through campus-wide programs, activities and special events.
“I love that this event connects UTSA to San Antonio,” said Ashley Marquis, assistant director of the UTSA Office of Student Activities. “We are one of the nonprofits raising money during Fiesta San Antonio. Through Día en la Sombrilla, the community can help raise funds for student organizations, while having a good time.”
