Foods and Flavors

Since this blog is all about the foods and flavors of San Antonio and I created it to promote my cookbook, Foods and Flavors
of San Antonio, I also wanted to offer autographed copies of my cookbook online. The cookbook is $14.95 plus $4.95 shipping.

Also available on Amazon for $19.95.

Return of the Chili Queens

The chili queens are returning to Market Square on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, May 29th, 30th, and 31st. YAY!!! If you remember from my posts last year around this time, the event was canceled and I was totally bummed by it... but they'll be here this year!

The CASI chili cook-off will also be happening and I get to be a judge again. YAY!!!

New World Wine and Food Festival

The New World Wine and Food Festival is hosting a wonderful week of food and wine tastings all around San Antonio May 12th through the 16th. Check their website for dates, details, and prices.

I'll be at the Totally Texas event again on Sunday, May 16th, from 1 pm to 6 pm, at Rio Cibolo Ranch, signing and selling copies of my cookbook, Foods and Flavors of San Antonio.

Be sure to come out for a great day sipping wines and sampling food. $35, all-inclusive.
See you there!

Cinco de Mayo Celebration

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at Market Square, Saturday and Sunday, May 1st and 2nd, noon to 6 pm. It's part of the Primer Sabado (first Saturday) event, held on the Plaza the first Saturday every month, featuring fun, food, entertainment, children's activities, arts and crafts, and much more. It's been extended to two days for Cinco
de Mayo.
I'll be there, signing copies of my cookbook,
Foods and Flavors of San Antonio, so be
sure to stop by and say hi.

Future dates for Primer Sabado will be the
first Saturday of June, August, October,
November, and December.

Oh, and did I mention it's FREE!

Viva Fiesta!

Fiesta 2010 is winding down to
a close but that doesn't mean the party stops. Fiesta is a "Party With
a Purpose." Proceeds from all the official Fiesta events benefit many, many wonderful causes in our city. Click on the event links in my posts this month to visit the sites and see what they support. It will warm your heart and soul. The party is just starting for all the people who will benefit from all the funds raised. I love San Antonio! Viva Fiesta!

King William Fair

The King William Fair invites you to celebrate the history and diversity of Texas' first historic neighborhood.
Stroll past stately Victorian mansions
as you enjoy a wide variety of drinks and ethnic cuisines. There will be lots
of arts and crafts vendors and a Kid's Kingdom for the kids. The fair kicks
off with a parody parade. Saturday, April 24, 10 am to 6 pm. $5.00;
children 12 and under are free.

I took my grandsons to this last year and we all had a good time (except for when I passed out from heat exhaustion). There are foot-long corn dogs (more like 16-inch), gorditas, funnel cakes,
and more. The rides and activities in the Kid's Kingdom include
an inflatable slide, rock-climbing wall, a kid's bungi jump where
you get strapped in and fly through the air, and lots more.

Fiesta Flambeau Parade

The Fiesta Flambeau Parade is one of the highlights of Fiesta; it's also one of the largest illuminated parades in the nation. This year's theme is Legends
in Music, showcasing many local and mainstream celebrities.

The University of Texas Longhorn Band will lead the parade through the 2.6 mile route. Saturday, April 24th. Vanguard at 7 pm; parade begins at 7:45 pm. Free, but you can purchase seating at varying prices from $12 to $18. The parade will also be televised and shown on the web.

Pooch Parade

The Fiesta Pooch Parade is Saturday, April 24th, 8 am to 1 pm
at the Alamo Heights Swimming Pool. Advance registration is $20
per one human and pooch or $25 per family and all the family dogs; $25 and $30 at the event. T-shirts and goody bags go to the first 500 pre-registrations.

Dress up your dog in Fiesta attire for the costume contest. The
5k parade begins at 9:30 am, winding through tree-lined streets along a tail-wagging route. There are also special exhibits and educational presentations for you and your furry friend.

Battle of Flowers Parade

This is the event that started what we know as Fiesta today.
The first Battle of Flowers Parade took place in 1891 to honor the heroes of the Alamo and to commemorate the Battle of San Jacinto, April 21, 1836, where Texas won its independence from Mexico.

The Battle of Flowers Parade is Friday, April 23rd, a.k.a. Fiesta Friday. Vanguard 11:50 am; the parade begins at 12:45 pm.

R.O.T.C. units march ahead of the parade and delight spectators with precision drills. The parade arrives with an explosion of color as splendid cavalcades and flying flags announce the festivities to come. Spectacular floats carrying costumed Fiesta royalty are interspersed with flower-bedecked antique cars and carriages. Giant helium balloons fly through the air, accompanied by the music of military and high school bands.

The parade route begins at Broadway @ Josephine and travels through downtown to Martin @ Santa Rosa.

This is an event not to be missed. Practically the whole city of San Antonio shuts down as everyone congregates downtown to enjoy the parade. Free; tickets (prices vary ranging from $12 to $18) can be purchased for seating.