Fiesta 2014 Day 17: Pooches, Fandango, Flambeau

One of the great things about Fiesta is the range of events available to participate in. Today really highlights this diversity as our five events include a football game, street fair, costumed fun run and parades (both of the dog and night variety). With only Saturday and Sunday left of Fiesta, be sure to soak it all in folks!

Fiesta Pooch Parade

This is the parade that answers the question, “Who let the dogs out?” If you are a canine owner—or lover—then this is the event for you. Show up to the Alamo Heights Pool with your four-legged friend decked out in Fiesta gear at 8 a.m. The cost to register a human and a pooch in this 5k stroll-of-a-parade is $25; the whole family and multiple dogs can participate for $30. You’ll be able to participate in the costume contest with awards that range from Best in Show, Top Dog, Most Creative, Most Patriotic, Best Fiesta Flair and Best Matched Human and Dog. But for spectators, it is free to simply watch the parade led by King Anbarkio VII that starts at 9:15 a.m. All proceeds go to benefit Therapy Animals of San Antonio.

King William Fair

The neighborhood known for First Friday and a top-flight restaurant scene invites everyone to attend the King William Fair. The event kicks off at 9 a.m. with a “fun and funky parade” that pokes a little fun as it parodies some of the bigger Fiesta parades. There are a wide variety of performers at four different venues, along with street performers that include belly dancers and balloon artists. The Kids Kingdom, located in Mill Park at the intersection of Washington and Beauregard, is a family friendly venue that offers crafts, basketball, games and rides. Admission to the fair is $10—children 15 and under is free—and all the proceeds go to benefit the non-profit King William Association.

UTSA Football Fiesta Spring Game

Are you ready for some football? April might seem a little early for the pigskin, but the UTSA Spring Game is at 1 p.m. at the Alamodome. Come catch a preview of Coach Larry Coker’s squad as they scrimmage against each other in this Fiesta showdown. Last season the Roadrunners exceeded expectations by finishing second in the Conference USA West Division. This season the team looks to prove that their top finish wasn’t a fluke at this event that is free to attend.

Fiesta Fandango 2.6 Mile Fun Run

This is one of the most fun runs that you will ever participate in! The Fiesta Fandango is a costumed race takes place immediately before the Flambeau Night Parade, and runners get to go down the same route as the parade. Having participated—and medaled as one of the best costumes—for the past four years, you get a runner’s high getting cheered on by the adorning crowds. While you can certainly run in simple shorts and a shirt, dressing up in a costume makes it all the more fun (my group dressed up as characters from the Flintstones, Wizard of Oz, cereal boxes and piñatas in years past). After the race, relax at the Columbus Park with beverages (read: beer), light snacks and music. Registration is $40 at the Sunken Gardens and be sure to get there by 4 p.m. to enter the costume contest.

Fiesta Flambeau Night Parade

America’s largest night parade, the Fiesta Flambeau, kicks off immediately following the Fiesta Fandango fun run. The vanguard begins at 6:40 p.m. with the parade beginning shortly after at 7:15 p.m. The Texas Longhorn marching band traditionally leads the parade, but there will be plenty other marching units, bands, equestrians and musical groups in this spectacular night parade. This grand marshal of this year’s parade is none other than Dos Equis “The Most Interesting Man in the World” (who has been checking in at over 150 different San Antonio locations on Foursquare and leaving some pretty funny tips). Hopefully the Dos Equis guy can hold off some of the impending rain—we don’t want the parade to get cancelled due to weather like it did last year.

Let Garrett know about your favorite Fiesta event, awesome unofficial party or where he can find medals by emailing him at fiesta@saflavor.com.

*Featured/top image: The 2013 Fiesta Pooch Parade. Image courtesy of FIESTA® SAN ANTONIO COMMISSION/©JONATHAN ALONZO PHOTOGRAPHY