NIOSA officials raise ‘Rain Rock' to ward off bad weather

Decades-long tradition dates back to late 1970s

SAN ANTONIO – It’s the Monday before A Night in Old San Antonio opens, and that means it’s time to raise the "Rain Rock."

The decades-long tradition of raising the Rain Rock is to ward off undesirable weather for the Fiesta San Antonio event.

The rock was raised from the NIOSA headquarters, which is located on the NIOSA grounds in the 200 block of South Presa St.

2019 Fiesta Schedule of Events

The NIOSA Rain Rock tradition dates back to the late 1970s when a NIOSA volunteer, Sue Armitage, assured the NIOSA chairman good luck with the rock to fend off bad weather.

The chairman had been fretting about ominous clouds and he took her advice, with the result being perfect weather.

NIOSA kicks off on Tuesday and runs through Friday in La Villita. The gates open at 5:30 p.m. and close at 10:30 p.m.


About the Author:

Ben Spicer is a digital journalist who works the early morning shift for KSAT.