Fiesta tickets go on sale

Lottery system decides who gets first tickets

For the second year in a row, a lottery determined who would be the first person to buy Fiesta tickets.

Despite camping out in the wee hours of the morning in front of the Fiesta store at 2600 Broadway, Fiesta fans had to wait until 9 a.m. to find out if they were among the first to have dibs on highly-sought after tickets like Cornyation and the parades.

Fiesta store organizers decided a new system was necessary to deter possible arguments among Fiesta fans.

Peggy Torralva said she has mixed feelings about the lottery. Torralva was first person in line when she showed up at the store at 4 a.m. But despite being the first one there, she didn't win the lottery for the first tickets.

"Logically, it (lottery) would be the best way to go, but for people who have put in the time shouldn't they be first?" Torralva said.

John David Ramirez, who was also in line early, doesn't like the lottery system.

"I do miss it (old system) because I mean, it's all about getting together here in San Antonio and meeting each other. It's not about coming in line and start fighting to get Fiesta tickets."

Fiesta begins April 18.