04.10.2024

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Today’s Forecast

🎊 Fiesta number crunching

The economic and environmental impacts of Fiesta on San Antonio

San Antonians keeping the streets clean during the annual Battle of Flowers Parade. | Photo by City of San Antonio

We are less than 10 days away from the biggest party of the year — Fiesta. Before we put on our flower crowns and high-tail it to the nearest Chicken on a Stick stand, have you ever thought about what happens to San Antonio post Fiesta? With over 2.5 million visitors coming to the party of the year, there’s no doubt the Alamo City sees a reoccurring impact to its economy and environment. Let’s break it down.

✍️ Fiesta by the numbers

The UTSA Center for Community and Business Research released an economic impact study about Fiesta San Antonio in 2017. Here are a few fast facts:

Contributed $340.1 million in sales to the local economy (compared to $284 million in 2007).
Supported 3,464 full-time-equivalent local jobs.
Generated sales tax collections of $3.6 million for local government.
Non-local visitors spent a combined $188 million.
Attracted 2,512,489 event attendees annually.
Mobilized 75K volunteers.

🌳 Keeping San Antonio beautiful

So we know that Fiesta rakes in the green, but how can we make sure Fiesta keeps San Antonio green? The City of San Antonio estimates 15 tons of trash is collected at the end of each parade — yikes. With Earth Day happening during Fiesta, here are a few ways to keep our city clean while partying with a purpose:

Use environmental-friendly confetti like biodegradable or flower confetti instead of metallic or plastic confetti.
Recycle empty bottles, cups, and cans in designated containers.
Car pool, grab a rideshare, or ride with VIA to events.
Throw trash away into designated containers.
Support green events — check out last year’s list.

Pro tip: If possible, use a reusable container to refill your favorite drink at events (Note: Water bottle policies vary from each event). Check out these colorful Fiesta tumblers from SA Flavor.

Asked

What year was the Fiesta economic impact study released by UTSA?

A. 2007
B. 2017
C. 2021
D. 2023

Take your best guess

Events

Wednesday, April 10

Paseo 2024 Community Planning Meeting | Wednesday, April 10, Wednesday, April 17 | 6 p.m. | Rinconcito de Esperanza, 816 S. Colorado St., San Antonio | Free | Join community leaders + neighbors to discuss and plan the 15th anniversary of Paseo por el Westside.
Fitness in the Park: Aqua Zumba | Wednesday, April 10 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | San Antonio Natatorium, 1430 W. Cesar E. Chavez Blvd., San Antonio | Free | This aquatic fitness routine offers low impact and high energy aquatic exercises.
Lamplighter Songwriter Night | Wednesday, April 10 | 7-11:55 p.m. | Screaming Goat Yard & Tap, 4 Sun Valley Dr., Spring Branch | Free | Join Grammy-nominated songwriter David Lee for live music and stories told by visiting artists.

Thursday, April 11

Pothole Patrol Fiesta Medal Giveaway | Thursday, April 11 | 5 p.m. | Pearsall Park, 5102 Old Pearsall Rd., San Antonio | Free | The first 75 attendees will receive the Pothole Patrol 2024 Fiesta medal.
Charter Review Commission Public Input Meetings | Thursday, April 11 | 5:30 p.m. | Central Library, 600 Soledad St., San Antonio | Free | Attend this civic meeting to have your voice heard for input on reviewing the city’s charter.
Black History Film Series | Thursday, April 11 | 6-9 p.m. | The Little Carver, 226 N. Hackberry, San Antonio | Free | Catch a showing of the docufilm “The Deadliest Disease in America” and stay after for a panel discussion.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Civic

San Antonio is designating a new culture district called the Silk Road Cultural Heritage District. Located along the Wurzbach corridor near the Medical Center, it highlights and celebrates the traditions of the area’s Middle Eastern, North African, and Asian immigrants. Learn how you can share your knowledge + stories related to this area.

Drink

Southbound Coffee celebrated its fifth anniversary yesterday. Opened by Adriana Ruiz in 2019, the pink coffee trailer serves up espresso drinks that embody the city’s culture including the Dulce de Nuez Latte, Mexican Mocha, and a Dirty Horchata. You can find the coffee spot at 246 E. Cevallos in Southtown.

Community

Tony’s Siesta is hosting a community mural painting event tonight at 206 Brooklyn Ave. from 4-9 p.m. For $10, you can paint a square of the mural and receive the cantina’s 2024 Fiesta medal. Don’t miss: The bar’s happy hour also runs from 4-9 p.m., featuring cocktails and half-off bottles of wine.

Opening

Fermenteria, San Antonio’s newest tap room, is hosting a family-friendly grand opening at 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 13, at 2243 E. Commerce. Come try its hard water kefir beverage (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), food, and live music. The event will also benefit San Antonio’s Thrive Youth Center.

Fiesta

Animal Care Services invites locals to its upcoming Paw-Changa event on Saturday, April 13 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 4710 State Highway 151. The department’s annual party will feature hundreds of adoption-ready pets and a parade of foster dogs. Check out the full itinerary.

Award

The San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo was nominated for the Academy of Country Music’s Fair/Rodeo of the Year. Other category nominees include Auburn Rodeo (Opelika, AL), Cheyenne Frontier Days (Cheyenne, WY), Iowa State Fair, and the Minnesota State Fair. Tune in Thursday, May 16 starting at 7 p.m. on Prime Video.

Closing

Assemble Cocktail is closing its Boerne location on Friday, May 3. Come by for one last public workshop or to rent out its space for a private event. No worries though, the mobile workshops are still available around the Hill Country, San Antonio, and Austin.

Sports

What does Devonte Graham’s future look like with the Spurs? Get the latest news, analysis, and insider information for the San Antonio Spurs with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.

Finance

One perk of an Ultimate Checking account with United Texas Credit Union: Getting your paycheck directly deposited into your account two days before payday. We like the sound of that. Explore other perks + learn more.*

Eat

🤤 Mouth-watering advisory

Ming’s now open in La Cantera Heights

Check out Ming’s new space featuring new food + drink items. | Photo by Tyler Smith Photography

Get your wallets and appetites ready, San Antonio. Let us introduce you to Ming’s, an Asian comfort food restaurant. From its beginning as a stall at the Quarry Farmers Market in 2011 to a new full-fledged brick-and-mortar location now open at La Cantera Heights, what can’t restaurant owner Ming Qian von Bargen accomplish?

As a contrast to its upscale look, the new location remains fast-casual. Unlike its Midtown location, the La Cantera Heights spot includes a cocktail program called Jujube offering drinks like a Jujube Old Fashioned, an Empress Orchid, a Jade Hairpin and the Ma La Land.

Upon arrival, make sure to order at the counter first, but if you’re still craving more, customers have the option to order more at the table.

Don’t miss: Customers can enjoy 30%-off their bill until the grand opening.

Know before you go

The Buy

The Buy 4.10.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

This under-cabinet pots and pans organizer. We love how it actually utilizes the vertical space in kitchen cupboards and (bonus) can be turned on its side to use as a lid organizer.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Adriana

From the editor

Another Fiesta impact I discovered last year was Fiesta medals. I literally gasped when I heard stories about how people discarded medals after the 11-day celebration. I still have Fiesta medals from when I was in high school.

If you find yourself wanting to get rid of your older medals, you can trade them at any of the Fiesta events or join this Facebook group to see if anyone wants them.

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