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Fiesta Week in San Antonio: A First-Timers Survival Guide

March 29, 2019

Fiesta Week in San Antonio: A First-Timers Survival Guide

Every year in the spring, San Antonio hosts a massive, ten-day festival known as Fiesta Week. Are you considering attending this year?

If you're interested in attending Fiesta Week, it's important to start planning early.

There's a lot that you can do during the celebration, and it's easy to feel overwhelmed if you arrive on the first day totally unprepared. 

Not sure where to begin when it comes to preparing for Fiest Week? 

Read on to learn everything you need to know to have a great time during Fiesta Week in San Antonio.

What is Fiesta Week?

Fiesta Medal Week

Fiesta Week, also known as Fiesta San Antonio and previously known as Fiesta San Jacinto, is a 10-day festival that started in 1891.

It began as a flower parade dedicated to the heroes who participated and lost their lives in the battles of San Jacinto and the Alamo.

The celebration soon evolved in the massive event people know and love today. 

Fiesta Week takes place throughout the city of San Antonio and includes over 100 different events, including parades, art exhibits, parties, and the delicious Tastes of Texas experience. 

Get the Most Out of Fiesta Week in San Antonio

Fiesta Week sounds pretty incredible, right? In order to have the best experience possible, though, you need to start planning your trip now.

Here are some tips that will help you survive -- and have the time of your life -- during Fiesta Week.

Use Park & Ride

If you want to save money and avoid the headache of trying to find a parking spot during the festival, you ought to use Park & Ride.

Basically, you'll drive to a parking lot, park your car, then get on a bus and travel to your destination.

It's highly affordable -- $2.50 each way; $1.25 for kids and seniors. It also saves you a lot of hassle and leaves you free to relax on your way to and from the event.

Get Cash Beforehand

There will be ATMs spread out throughout the festival. But, those ATMs will almost all slap an annoying surcharge on to any withdrawals you attempt to make. Save yourself some money and take out cash before you get to the event. 

Keep Your ID on Hand

If you plan to enjoy any adult beverages while walking around Fiesta Week, you better make sure you have your ID on hand at all times.

You will get carded, and it's best to be prepared.

That way, you don't have to waste time fumbling around in your backpack trying to find your driver's license every time you want something refreshing to drink.

Charge Your Phone

Nobody likes having a dead phone with them when they're at a big event like this. This is especially true if you're using the Fiesta Week app to help you navigate the festivities. 

Make sure your phone is fully charged before you leave for the festival. Consider bringing a portable phone charger with you, too, just to be safe. 

Bring a Tote Bag for Souvenirs

If you plan on purchasing souvenirs for yourself or your kids while you're attending Fiesta Week, plan on bringing an empty (or nearly empty) tote bag with you, too. That way, you won't have to worry about juggling all your belongings while you participate in different events.

Wear Comfortable Shoes

There's no getting around it -- you're going to have to do a lot of walking during Fiesta Week. This is not the right time to wear your favorite high-heeled shoes. Save those for another night and put on a comfortable pair of sneakers instead.

Like it or not, it sometimes rains during Fiesta Week. Check the weather ahead of time to make sure you have the right clothes and gear on hand.

Check the Weather

Even if the weather seems like it will be clear, you might want to bring a small umbrella with you anyways. If nothing else, it will provide you with some shade when the sun comes out.

Make a Sash for Your Kids' Medals

Your kids are likely going to receive a lot of medals during Fiesta Week, and they're going to want to display them throughout the event.

Make a simple sash out of a wide piece of ribbon before you head to the festival. Then, they can simply attach the medals to the ribbon and wear them with pride.

Not sure what the big deal is with medals? Check out this article to learn more about Fiesta medal culture.

Put Together a Survival Kit

Be sure to bring a survival kit with you, too. What goes into a survival kit?

At the very least, you should be sure to include the following items:

  • Snacks
  • A package of wipes
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Tissues 
  • A hat
  • Sunscreen
  • A water bottle (or two)
  • A disposable poncho or umbrella

You may also want to include a small flashlight if you plan on attending a lot of nighttime events. Sure, you could use the flashlight on your phone, but that's also going to drain your battery life pretty quickly.

Start Planning for Fiesta Week Now

It may seem like you have all the time in the world. Fiesta Week in San Antonio will be here before you know it, though.

Start planning your trip now so that you can cruise into town on the first day of Fiesta Week ready to have a great time.

Are you getting excited about the big event? Do you want to purchase a custom medal for the occasion?

If so, contact us at Fiesta Medal today to get a quote. Our medals are of the highest quality and are created just for you by our talented designers.

Fiesta Medal Blogger
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