HEMISFAIR

The AccessABILITY Festival took over Hemisfair Park on Saturday. It was an event that formed part of San Antonio’s fabric for the past 16 years.

In partnership with Hemisfair’s Inclusion programming, the 16th annual AccessAbility Fest kicks off downtown on Saturday.

If autumn is your favorite season, then you’ll be happy to know that there are several fall festivals taking place around Texas.

Hemisfair is undergoing a major transformation as construction is underway for Civic Park.

From alleged accounting snafus to grand openings, our top stories this week spanned multiple areas of food and beverage business.

A recent tour of the site shows the huge public park next to the convention center on the grounds of the 1968 World’s Fair is taking shape.

If activities surrounding dining spots such as Dough Pizzeria Napoletana and Box St. All Day are any indication, food is helping pave the way to greatness.

A city panel has cleared the way for a 17-story hotel to go up in a revitalized area of Hemisfair in downtown San Antonio.

The 17-story hotel is part of Zachry Hospitality's plans for a mixed-use development within Civic Park and will be completed in 2025.

This year's Luminaria Contemporary Arts Festival will take place Nov. 19 near the Tobin Center in downtown San Antonio.

Luminaria, “the largest free outdoor arts festival in South Texas,” is moving to the northern side of downtown San Antonio this fall.

The Conservation Society of San Antonio announced its intent to secure state and national historic designations on Saturday.

This year's celebration will feature a larger procession, along with a four-stage lineup of musical performers.

Folks can still get its caffeinated wares from a mobile coffee truck nearby during the closure.

KSAT12 will broadcast San Antonio’s largest Día de los Muertos festival from Hemisfair this October, it was announced by KSAT12 VP/GM Phil Lane.

San Antonio’s Historic Design and Review Commission granted Indiana-based White Lodging final approval to develop a 10-story hotel along South Alamo Street near La Villita and Hemisfair.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Free margaritas and food. The Fourth of July.

San Antonio police apprehended 10 juveniles following a fight between two groups in a parking lot near Hemisfair.

The future of the Institute of Texan Cultures is up for discussion, and UTSA is asking the public to weigh in.

After releasing a report on three possible futures for the Institute of Texan Cultures, UTSA is seeking another round of public input.

A downtown park bringing greenery, a space for events and a place for families and visitors to enjoy is on its way.

Data goes back to 1885, making it the hottest May in 137 years.

Pinwheels popping up at Hemisfair. A nonprofit is using colorful pinwheels to bring attention to Children’s Mental Health Awareness Month.

The San Antonio City Council approved a contract amendment with Zachry Hospitality on a major project at Hemsfair, greenlighting the process for a hotel and more residential units at the former World’s Fair site.

La Villita may be going through some changes, but NIOSA will be back at the historic venue for Fiesta 2022.

Hemisfair in San Antonio was filled with sombreros and crowds of happy people, speaking to this year's Fiesta theme: resilience.

Clink, clink — what’s that sound? It’s the sweet sound of Fiesta medals as San Antonio’s 11-day party with a purpose kicks off at Hemisfair.

Wild Fiesta fun, Fiesta food, Easter treats + a fun weekend event for your pets!

San Antonio City Council heard details of a revised plan for a long-delayed mixed-use project at Hemisfair and will vote on the deal in April.

Zachry Hospitality is moving closer to a finalizing a new deal for the former World’s Fair site.

More than a decade in the works and plagued by delays, construction at Civic Park at Hemisfair in downtown San Antonio has begun.

City leaders and Hemisfair officials will break ground on the Civic Park at Hemisfair in downtown San Antonio on Wednesday morning.

Design for Hemisfair Civic Park show a stunning revamp.

Opinion: San Antonio is about to engage in a vigorous debate over the future of the soon-to-be-former federal courthouse and its Hemisfair site.

Opinion: When completed, the green space at Hemisfair will become the year-round people magnet downtown San Antonio has needed.

City Council approved a construction contract for the first phase of Hemisfair's Civic Park, scheduled to be completed in 2023.

Celebrate SA will take place on Alamo Street, La Villita and Hemisfair between Market Street and Cesar Chavez Blvd with live music and a fireworks show at midnight.

One of the biggest fitness events of the year called runners, joggers and walkers from around the country to downtown San Antonio on Sunday.

If you're headed downtown this Sunday, avoid these areas.

Thousands of runners will pound the streets Sunday for the 2021 Rock ‘n’ Roll San Antonio Marathon and Half-Marathon.

The Historic and Design Review Commission approved two major downtown San Antonio projects, one at Hemisfair and the other in La Villita.

Thousands swarmed Hemisfair in downtown San Antonio on Saturday for the return of Luminaria, after the event was canceled last year.

The schedule is set for the Luminaria Contemporary Arts Festival, which will return to Hemisfair in downtown San Antonio this weekend.

The Diwali San Antonio festival has grown to become the third-largest Diwali event in the world outside of India, according to organizers.

The Diwali SA Festival of Lights returned to the Hemisfair.

San Antonians celebrated Día de los Muertos at Muertos Fest, the city's largest annual festival dedicated to the day.

Day of the Dead celebrations commence Oct. 23-24, with the annual river parade Oct. 29, and other neighborhood events through Nov. 8.

The 13th Annual Diwali SA Festival of Lights is making an in-person return to San Antonio this year after a virtual event in 2020.

One of the largest Día de los Muertos festivals in the United States takes place in downtown San Antonio.

This year's Luminaria artists are all San Antonio-based, a decision made to honor the work the arts community did during the pandemic to stay connected.

Germaine Herrera likes being in the middle of the downtown San Antonio action. It's a change of pace from her previous home in Cibolo.

The Tower of the Americas will host its second annual Octoberfest with sips from more than 23 European breweries.

One of the largest Día de los Muertos festivals in the United States is returning this year after a hiatus due to COVID-19, and it is taking place in downtown San Antonio.

Hemisfair Park's 9th annual Día de los Muertos celebration is back in person and...

San Antonio’s ninth annual Día de los Muertos fest will bring its mix of community altars, live music, art vendors and workshops back to Hemisfair...

Zachry Hospitality's office-hotel-residential development, approved in 2017 and originally set to open this year, remains on hold.

Medals, crazy hats, beer, live music and fireworks filled the air in celebration of the first night of Fiesta events at Fiesta Fiesta Hemisfair on Friday evening.

San Antonio’s favorite citywide celebration has officially made its return!

The City of San Antonio's Metropolitan Health District has installed a temporary memorial to honor local residents who died from COVID-19.

Fiesta returns to San Antonio June 17-27 with a slate of 50 events including the Texas Cavaliers River Parade.

Is this your ring?

Officials at Hemisfair in downtown San Antonio posted a pair of photos to Twitter on Wednesday afternoon of a diamond ring that was found in the dirt.

San Antonio – Spring is here and it is time to get outside, but you don’t have to go far to enjoy the great outdoors. These 5 San Antonio area parks are great spots to enjoy the weather before the summer heat arrives. Brackenridge Park - The park is home to a stretch of the San Antonio River, the Japanese Tea Garden, Sunken Garden Theater, the San Antonio Zoo, Lambert Beach and Tony “Skipper” Martinez ball fields. Hemisfair Park - Hemisfair is a community with residences, local businesses and three public parks in the heart of San Antonio. To learn more about these parks as well as other parks to visit around the city, head to the San Antonio Parks & Recreation website.

SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio residents woke up to an unusual sight Monday morning. While the winter storm has resulted in power outages and dangerous conditions, locals made the best of it by enjoying a rare opportunity to play in the snow. AdThat meant ice angels at Alamo Plaza, snowmen galore, and sledding and kayaking down streets. View some images and videos of Snow Day 2021 below. Gallery: Locals take in a rare snow dayFull Screen Full Screen 1 / 28 eustaciotovar: SnowmanWatch: Sledding through San Antonio streetsWatch: Skiing and snowboarding in SchertzWatch: Husky plays in snow in San AntonioWatch: Kayaking in snow down San Antonio streetWatch: San Antonio dog plays in snow for the first timeStay InformedAs always, Your Weather Authority team will keep you updated.

click image Instagram / rerooted210Lovers of Texas wine, mark the date.San Antonio-based sommelier Jennifer Beckmann is leagues closer to realizing her dream of opening Re:Rooted 210, a winery at downtown SA’s fast-evolving Hemisfair complex. The spot will serve both its own Texas-grown wine and that of other Texas vintners.Since thespoke with her last October , Beckmann and her team have been finishing out the 2,200-square-foot space and acquiring the necessary licensing. They're also developing a food program so the business is recognized as a restaurant under state COVID-19 safety rules.If all goes to plan, Beckmann told the, Re:Rooted could be fully open by mid-February. Curbside wine sales could start as early as next week.Re:Rooted is one of at least three culinary ventures opening at Hemisfair this year, including the second location of SA staple Bombay Bicycle Club and the first brick-and-mortar location for popular catering outfit Box Street Social.Re:Rooted 210 is located at 623 Hemisfair Blvd., Suite 106.

click to enlarge Ben Olivo / SA HeronThe site of the future Civic Park at Hemisfair. In 2017, the City of San Antonio chose Zachry Corp. out of 11 bidders to construct buildings on the northwest corner of Hemisfair, around a new public park named Civic Park. click to enlarge Courtesy / HemisfairThe advantage of starting construction on Civic Park is that it is something that HPARC can control after the pandemic has turned everything topsy-turvy, Andujar said. “I don’t know how to explain the beauty of what’s coming,” Andujar said of Civic Park. The first speedbumps came in 2018, when parts of San Antonio’s tricentennial celebration were held at Hemisfair, Andujar said.

click to enlarge Hemisfair Park Area Redevelopment CorporationPeggy Mays Garden Conceptual RenderingAfter receiving its first ever seven-figure philanthropic donation, downtown San Antonio's Hemisfair public space will use the money to construct a garden in the new year.The Mays Family Foundation announced a $1 million gift in honor of family matriarch Peggy Mays, who died at 85 last month. The Hemisfair Conservancy will develop the Peggy Mays Garden along East Nueva Street between Yanuguana Garden and the future Civic Park. "My mother was devoted to adding beauty and improving life for all San Antonians," foundation President Kathy Mays Johnson said in a press release. "The Mays Family Foundation is leading the way in helping us accomplish our aspirational vision of creating one of the world's great public places here in San Antonio," Hemisfair Conservancy Executive Director Anne Krause said in public statement. "Philanthropy is at the heart of Hemisfair, and we hope this transformational gift inspires other donors to support the redevelopment."

Courtesy of The San Antonio River Walk AssociationThe city's annual New Year's Eve fireworks show and festivities will follow the trend of other events in 2020 and go virtual, according to the San Antonio Parks Foundation. Although the event won't be enjoyed in person, the foundation says residents can have a front row seat to the Celebrate SA! show, which will begin with 2021 spelled out in the sky followed by a 12-minute fireworks show and grand finale. The show is virtual this year in response to the pandemic, the foundation said.

click to enlarge Courtesy of HemisfarHemisfair is partnering with Centro San Antonio for a wintry drive-through to add to your family’s safe holiday season schedule.The free event on Saturday afternoon will include everything from twinkling lights to socially distant pictures with Santa — all while celebrating the traditions of Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah and the winter season as a whole. If you missed that one winter a couple of years ago when it actually snowed in San Antonio, Centro is bringing back those feels courtesy of Mireles Ice, with 110,400 lbs. of ice that will be turned into snowflakes.The drive-through will feature carolers from the American Caroling Company, decorations from Mandie’s Balloons, animals from Happy Tails Entertainment, reindeer from Zoomagination, a drum circle from The Synergy Studio, jumping elves from Aqua Acro and a sound system by Galaxy Productions.Vehicles should enter through East Cesar E. Chavez and Hemisfair Boulevard. Early birds will get a special treat — the first 100 cars will receive a free bag of kettle corn from Pepito’s Italian Ice.Let’s just hope the cherry on top includes weather cold enough to wear a jacket and drink some hot chocolate in the car.

SAN ANTONIO – Bet you didn’t think you’d get a chance to drive through the snow this holiday season in San Antonio, did you? Well, you can from 3-5 p.m. on Saturday at a free holiday drive-thru event hosted by Hemisfair and Centro San Antonio. Centro, courtesy of Mireles Ice, is bringing 110,400 pounds of ice to the event to create the magic of man-made snow, according to event officials. Here’s what organizers want you to know before you head to the event:Entrance to the Holiday Drive-Thru is on Hemisfair Blvd and East Cesar E. Chavez Blvd. Centro Ambassadors will help keep traffic moving in order to ensure as many families as possible have a chance to experience this free event.

click to enlarge Bryan RindfussBilled as the largest Day of the Dead festival in Texas, Día de los Muertos at Hemisfair — or Muertos Fest to those who prize brevity — will return virtually for its 8th annual installment.The event will be broadcast as a one-hour special at 7 p.m. on Saturday, October 31, in partnership with Sinclair Broadcasting CW35.Directed by award-winning filmmaker Jim Mendiola, the TV special will showcase San Antonio's unique take on the Day of the Dead through music, dance and spoken word performances.The broadcast will also feature traditional elements of the holiday, such as community altars, or ofrendas. A small group of altars will be featured in mini-documentaries, allowing viewers to learn more about the creators of the altars and their subjects.In light of the pandemic, the special will put COVID-19's impact on the Latinx community at the forefront. "If there ever was a time to honor those we’ve lost to the disease, and to thank those farmworkers and care givers and grocery store clerks, it’s now," Mendiola said in a statement. "COVID’s impact on the Latino community has been especially hard, and we will remember lives lived and recognize the resilience of our community through altars, songs and stories of those we’ve lost. "Muertos Fest will have an expanded music lineup this year, including Grammy-award winners Los Lobos, Lila Downs and Carla Morrison, along with National Medal of Art Recipient Santiago Jimenez Jr. — the brother of Flaco Jimenez — plus live performances by local favorites Los Nahuatlatos and Tallercito de Son.This year also marks the 25th anniversary of Selena's death, so to honor her legacy the festival will showcase a performance of "Fotos y Recuerdos" featuring Chris Perez, the late Tejano legend's husband; Girl in a Coma's Nina Diaz; Mariachi Campanas de America; and Ceci Zavala.The program also includes performances by San Antonio poets, in addition to short films by Ray Santisteban.For those that miss the initial broadcast, or are outside of the San Antonio market, the virtual festival will be rebroadcast with additional material on the Muertos Fest website at 7 p.m. Sunday, November 1.In addition to the virtual fest, Hemisfair visitors will have the chance to visit a community altar and view art installations by Momo and Pompa on display at the park through November 2.

San Antonio's second Lick ice cream shop is opening downtown next weekHere's the scoop: San Antonio will get a double dip of Lick Honest Ice Creams when the company opens the second location at Hemisfair next week. Here's the scoop: San Antonio will get a double dip of Lick Honest Ice Creams when the company opens the second location at Hemisfair next week. Photo: Robin Jerstad /Contributor Photo: Robin Jerstad /Contributor Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close San Antonio's second Lick ice cream shop is opening downtown next week 1 / 1 Back to GalleryHere's the scoop: San Antonio will get a double dip of Lick Honest Ice Creams when the company opens the second location at Hemisfair next week. The first San Antonio shop has been a popular spot for ice cream at The Pearl since opening in 2014. San Antonio Lick fans can also take advantage of free delivery once a week by visiting the company website.

click to enlarge BK MKeeRevelers flood the popular Night in Old San Antonio Event during a past Fiesta. The upcoming production ofhas been tentatively postponed to April 24.The Archdiocese of San Antonio has suspended public mass in all churches beginning March 14, as well as all nonessential gatherings, until further notice. The grand opening of Social Revolt at Traders Village is still on.The San Antonio Zoo, Kiddie Park and Will Smith Zoo School will be closed through March 20. San Antonio Flavor , originally scheduled for March 19. Inductions will take place next year on February 27.Ally Brooke at the Aztec Theatre, originally scheduled for March 29.2020 Craft Brewers Conference, originally scheduled for March 29-April 1.Valero Texas Open golf tournament, originally scheduled for April 2-5.Taco Fest: Music y Mas at UTSA Downtown Campus, originally scheduled for April 4.Kenny Chesney's May 23 concert at the Alamodome.

Bank of America gave Hemisfair a boost with a $750,000 anchor grant on Wednesday. The bank said they see the money as an investment in small businesses in the San Antonio community. “The $750,000 grant is primarily going to 19th Century Kusche House to design and develop this into being ready for a small business to come in and then add to the vibrancy in the community,” said Jessica Miller, market president of Bank of America San Antonio. Then & Now: 11 construction projects that reshaped downtown San Antonio in 2019Hemisfair also unveiled new signage to recognize the gift. This is the largest corporate foundation grant that Hemisfair has received since the Yanaguana Garden in 2015.

Hemisfair announced Wednesday that it received a $750,000 grant from Bank of America to restore the Kusch House, one of the historic homes in the urban park district. Once its restored, the Kusch House also will have a commercial tenant. The Kusch House is located on East Nueva Street between the Mexican Cultural Institute and the 68 Apartments. The Bank of America donation is the largest corporate gift that Hemisfair has received. Jessica Miller, the San Antonio market president for Bank of America, said Hemisfairs ability to connect San Antonians reflected the companys values.

Celebrate San Antonio, the Citys official New Years Eve celebration, will take place at Hemisfair on Tuesday, Dec. 31. All proceeds from the event will support the San Antonio Parks Foundation, which funds park improvement projects across the city. Programming on the Hemisfair stage will include super high-energy party band Melange by Intensity Entertainment, In10City Band, according to the Park Foundations Facebook event page. Attendees are encouraged to look into taxi, ride-share, mass transit (park and ride), and electric scooter options. Outside food and drinks, as well as e-scooters, are not permitted within official event boundaries.

Ring in the New Year in the heart of San Antonio with the San Antonio Parks Foundation as it hosts the citys official end-of-the-year celebration at Hemisfair. 13 on WalletHubs Best Places for New Years Eve Celebrations, coming in above New Orleans, which must mean we party hard. From local politics and culture to national news that hits close to home, San Antonio Current has been keeping San Antonio informed for years. Its never been more important to support local news sources. If quality journalism is important to you, please consider a donation to San Antonio Current.

Golden Rose Tattoo, Pleasant Dreams CO REWK, Nite Owl Tattoo Studio, and Deadlights Tattoo are all running Friday the 13th specials. Friday, 7 p.m.-1 a.m.Vibes Event Center, 1223 E. Houston St.$7-$40Wizard of Oz: Live in ConcertThe San Antonio Symphony marks 80 years since the Wizard of Ozs debut with a concert. Two cast members from the iconic improv show Whose Line Is It Anyway? make their way to San Antonio for 90 minutes of musical comedy and improvisation. Saturday, 9-10 a.m.Mission San Jos, 701 E. Pyron Ave.FreeRISE + Shine: TEDx San Antonio Women 2019TEDx San Antonio is putting on an event celebrating self-empowerment geared toward women on Saturday, though people of all genders are welcome to attend. The San Antonio Astronomical Association teaches about the planets and moon at a Star Party Saturday night.

The second annual San Antonio Coffee & Cordials Festival is teaming up with Hemisfair on Saturday, December 14 to bring holiday sweets, treats and all things coffee to downtown San Antonio.The festival is free to attend, but a $22 VIP ticket allows for early entry, access to cocktails and unlimited coffee samples. "We both love coffee and we love a little kicker... so we thought this would be a great blend," NJ said. "We're all about creating exceptional experiences and making it all inclusive... especially here in San Antonio where family is so important. From local politics and culture to national news that hits close to home, San Antonio Current has been keeping San Antonio informed for years. If quality journalism is important to you, please consider a donation to San Antonio Current.

Festival goers spilled over from the second night of Da de los Muertos celebrations at La Villita into the 11th annual Diwali San Antonio event at Hemisfair where there was live entertainment, food booths, handcrafts, and a river barge parade celebrating Indian culture. After the parade, 4,000 floating candles, or diyas, were lit and released into the San Antonio River at the grotto of the convention center. Scott Ball / Rivard Report permalink Scott Ball / Rivard Report permalink Scott Ball / Rivard Report permalink Scott Ball / Rivard Report permalinkMeanwhile, inside the convention center, costumed superheroes and other characters celebrated another culture of sorts at Alamo City Comic Con. She moved to San Antonio 33 years ago and helped start the event. Scott Ball / Rivard Report permalink Scott Ball / Rivard Report permalinkIt was the second year in a row that San Antonio resident Iris Jones attended Diwali.

San Antonios locally-focused Da de los Muertos festival, also called Muertos Fest, has grown each of its first six years at La Villita. Now, for its seventh annual event, Muertos Fest has found a new home across the street at Hemisfair, which organizers say offers more space and room to grow. Staff considered several locations before deciding on Hemisfair where Mendiola said the event will have a much larger footprint and a lot more breathing room.We are going to miss some things about La Villita, Mendiola said. This mixture of people and expressions make Muertos Fest a real, interesting, unique celebration that cant happen anywhere else, Mendiola said. A full schedule is available on the Muertos Fest website, with further information on performers, the altar contest, processions, vendors, and activities.

We wish them luck on the next venture and thank everyone for their efforts and patronage.Were keeping you informed...and its what we love to do. From local politics and culture to national news that hits close to home, San Antonio Current has been keeping San Antonio informed for years. A free press means accountability and a well-informed public, and we want to keep our unique and independent reporting available for many, many years to come. If quality journalism is important to you, please consider a donation to San Antonio Current. Every reader contribution is valuable and so appreciated, and goes directly to support our coverage of critical issues and neighborhood culture.

SAN ANTONIO - Hemisfair's "only social bar" will head out of the downtown park early next month. Con Safos Cocina y Cantina, located in the historic Espinoza House in Yanaguana Garden, will close Nov. 3, according to a news release from Hemisfair. The eatery, which calls itself "@hemisfair's only social bar" and "home to the #conchaburger" on Instagram, did not renew its lease, the release states. RELATED: 25,000 expected to skate on ice rink in downtown San AntonioHemisfair plans to place pop-up shops inside the Espinoza House during the holidays until a new tenant moves in. Owner Rey Cabello said he and his partners decided to move the food truck to El Buho, their bar located on the St. Mary's Strip, while they search for another space.

If youre in the art scene, if youre in our culture in San Antonio, you know of Luminaria, Gonzales said. Artists and performers are invited to sign up for an open stage and an open gallery, with a chance to have their work seen by an estimated 20,000 festivalgoers. This year Luminaria asks those interested to sign in via links in the Community Interaction section of the schedule page. Aside from open stage and open gallery participants, the 2019 festival will feature 50 artists, musicians, filmmakers, performance artists, dancers, and writers. Dont leave the lights at home, she said, bring em. More information on the 2019 Luminaria Contemporary Arts Festival is available here.

Local police, fire, and other public safety agencies will conduct training exercises around Hemisfair in downtown San Antonio during the next few weeks, according to officials. The exercises, which started Sunday, will take place at night sporadically until early November, San Antonio Fire Department (SAFD) spokesman Joe Arrington said. Its part of a joint training effort with the San Antonio Police Department, local school district police, hospitals, and other groups to better prepare for emergencies. Theres no danger.SAFD is also asking the media and members of the public to refrain from taking photos or shooting videos of the training. We dont want to give [them] any kind of upper hand.The training is aimed at keeping local public safety agencies up-to-date on the latest Active Shooter/Hostile Event Response (ASHER) program developed by the National Fire Prevention Association.