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🎊 Viva NIOSA

Everything you need to know about NIOSA

Grab a preparada and Bongo K-Bob at NIOSA. | Photo by @cheleres18

San Antonio’s largest party of the year, Fiesta, is only eight days away (Apr. 20-30). Locals are understandably excited — but especially for one of it’s biggest events, Night in Old San Antonio (NIOSA), from April 25-28.

You probably know NIOSA, but do you know how it got its start? This festival is one of Fiesta’s oldest and most popular events, but it’s also the largest fundraiser for historic preservation in the nation.

So, what is NIOSA?

NIOSA is a five night celebration during the second week of Fiesta, featuring 14 cultural areas + 165 vendors. The festival is run by the Conservation Society of San Antonio, and is its largest annual fundraiser. The goal is to spread awareness of the cultural heritage of San Antonio + Texas, and it’s raised over $12 million in the last 12 years.

The party is known for:

Chicken on a stick by Mr. Chicken.
The chamoy and Smirnoff drink, the preparada.
Bongo K-Bobs — named after street performer Bongo Joe.

SATX: The Prestigious Mark NIOSA lapel pin — Commemorate the 75th anniversary of NIOSA with a lapel pin from The Prestigious Mark.
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Photo by @theprestigiousmark

How did it start?

While technically it’s NIOSA’s 75th anniversary, different iterations of the event can be traced back even further.

1936 — First version (then known as the Indian Festival) kicks off at Mission San Jose
1944 — Name changes from Indian Festival to River Festival
1946 — Conservation Society asks the city to hold the event during Fiesta, in the spring vs. the fall
1948 — Name changes to Night in Old San Antonio (NIOSA)
1958 — NIOSA expands from one to four nights
1966 — “Night in Old San Antonio” is registered + trademarked to the Conservation Society

Why is the Conservation Society behind NIOSA?

The Society was founded in 1924, and has managed this event since 1936. Originally it had only 13 founding members, and it’s now expanded to 1,700+ volunteers. Its purpose is to preserve San Antonio’s unique buildings and sites, and funding from NIOSA directly helps their mission. Get involved.

Events

Wednesday, April 12

01 Farmer’s Market at Woodlawn Pointe | Wednesday, April 12 | 1-6 p.m. | Woodlawn Pointe, 702 Donaldson, San Antonio | Free | Join this neighborhood market for farm-fresh produce, local baked breads, pickles, and other pantry staples.
Karaoke at Picks Bar | Wednesday, April 12-Thursday, April 13 | 9:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m. | Picks Bar, 4553 N. Loop 1604 W. #1101, San Antonio | Free | Show off your vocal skills with live band karaoke.

Thursday, April 13

Teen Anime & Manga Club | Thursday, April 13 | 5 p.m. | New Braunfels Library, 700 E. Common St., New Braunfels | Free | Join other teens in discussing all things Japanese pop culture.
Geeks Who Drink Pub Trivia | Thursday, April 13 | 7-9 p.m. | Tech Port Center, 3331 General Hudnell Dr. , San Antonio | Free | Geeks Who Drink brings the nation’s best pub quiz to Tech Port Center every Thursday, with 7 rounds of audio, visual + live-hosted trivia (and yes, there are prizes — including concert tickets).*
Chris Distefano: Right Intention, Wrong Move | Thursday, April 13 | 7 p.m. | Empire Theatre, 226 N. St. Mary’s St., San Antonio | $39-$79 | Join fans to watch one of the biggest and most beloved names in comedy.
M83 - Fantasy 2023 Tour | Thursday, April 13 | 8 p.m. | The Aztec Theatre, 104 N. Saint Marys St., San Antonio | $39.50-$59.50 | Come join M83 for a night of music featuring songs from their newly released album Fantasy.

Friday, April 14

Fiesta FitFest by San Antonio Sports, presented by HEB | Friday, April 14 | 4-10 p.m. | UTSA Main Campus, 1 UTSA Circle, San Antonio | $0-$30 | Join Fiesta’s fittest event and burn off some of their Fiesta fun while enjoying the traditional Fiesta event with food, libations, and entertainment.
Make your own LEGO Medal Adult Night | Friday, April 14 | 6:30-9 p.m. | LEGOLAND Discovery Center San Antonio , 849 E Commerce St Ste. 600, San Antonio | $19.99 | Your ticket includes fiesta medal making class, Fiesta themed games, food + drinks, lego prizes, and more.
Josh Abbott Band: Real Damn Good Tour| Friday, April 14 | 8 p.m. | The Espee, 1174 E Commerce St, San Antonio | Enjoy a night of Texas country music.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Environment

San Antonio River Foundation and the River Authority will host the second annual Earth Week Litter Challenge running Saturday, April 15 through Sunday, April 23. Participants will compete to clean up the San Antonio River for prizes including a ‘trash trophy’ and kayaking trip.

Biz

Raymond Garcia and James Velez will open a new Countdown SA location in Alamo Ranch on Saturday, April 15. The brand is known for bringing the sneaker community together, after opening their Blanco Road location in 2021. The second location’s grand opening this Saturday will have a live DJ and giveaways for attendees. ⁠(MySA)
Brick by brick... A second standalone LEGO store is en route to the Shops at La Cantera. Construction is set to begin in late April, and finish in mid-July. The first store opened at North Star Mar in 2013. (MySA)

On This Day

On April 12, 2016, a powerful Texas hail storm hit Downtown San Antonio, resulting in up to 4.5 inches of hail around the city, resulting in over $1.36 billion worth of damages. It was the second costliest hail storm in Texas history. (KSAT)

Announced

Don’t “Snooze” on this upcoming concert. SZA is coming to the AT&T Center on October 15. Presale tickets go live Friday, April 14 at 12 p.m.
Tommy Bahama has plans to open a $1 million eatery at La Cantera. Construction is set to begin in late May, and open Tuesday, October 31. (SA Current)

Closing

Project Pollo is closing its locations after acquisition by an unidentified national group. In San Antonio, the Huebner Rd. location is already closed, 303 San Pedro Ave. will close this Sunday (April 16), and 9519 San Pedro Ave. at the end of the month (April 30). (Express News)

Plan Ahead

Now’s your chance to get “Bejeweled” — because local venue The Rock Box is hosting a dance party tribute to Taylor Swift’s “Eras” Tour this Saturday, April 15 at 9 p.m. See you there? (Express News)

Real Estate

Buying your first home is stressful enough already — which is why it’s so important to choose a lender that makes your life easier, not harder. Our pick? United Texas Credit Union, of course.*

Shop

There’s still time to celebrate National Pet Day with our brand partner, Hannah Chloe Co. From bandanas to bows, your furry friend will appreciate these gifts. Shop now.

Festival

🏅 Fiesta medal 411

Fiesta medal 411

SATXtoday City Editor Adriana Fiesta Medal

San Antonio Humane Society’s ‘El Rey Fido’ fiesta medal from 2021. | Photo by SATXtoday team

City Editor Nicholas here. I was talking to City Editor Adriana about Fiesta the other day (let’s be honest, it’s on everyone’s minds), and she casually mentioned that she has an immense Fiesta medal collection. My jaw dropped — and I knew I had to learn more.

As many know, Fiesta medals are a huge part of the 11-day celebration. They give local businesses and non-profits the chance to show off their Fiesta spirit, and personality. Establishments ranging from Bill Miller to even the Air Force join in on fun. And everyone has their own, unique story. Here’s Adriana’s.

Do you participate in medal trading? Are there any you regret trading away?

Yes — I participate all throughout Fiesta, I barter with other people to trade with me. The one medal I do regret trading is one from Taco Cabana, which had a chip that you could dip in queso, and it even moved up and down.

What is your favorite Fiesta medal?

El Rey Fido from the San Antonio Humane Society in 2021 [pictured above]. All of the medal profits go back to the Humane Society, which is where I adopted my parents’ dog Reggie in 2015.

So, let’s hear it San Antonio — what’s your Fiesta medal collection story? Email us.

Where to find medals?

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Nicholas

From the editor

Hi readers, I’m Nicholas, the new City Editor for SATXtoday. I’m so excited to join Adriana to bring you the must-know news of our great Alamo City.

Know what else I’m excited for? The new Star Wars projects coming out in the next few years (especially the “Ahsoka” series on Disney+). Star Wars is what I bonded with my dad over growing up and even now, so I can’t wait to see this character get the live-action treatment. Any other Star Wars fans out there?

Missed our last newsletter? Learn about the history of the final Tuskegee Airman in San Antonio

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