A fête of San Antonio’s past and future, “A Night in Old San Antonio” (NIOSA) celebrates the city’s culture, food and music. The 70th presentation of NIOSA, one of our city’s signature events, takes place during Fiesta. This year, NIOSA gates will open at 5:15 p.m. on April 24 with a grand ribbon-cutting ceremony. The entire event runs from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. from April 24 to April 27 at the Historic Villita.
NIOSA, truly a grassroots affair, started with just five ladies, way ahead of their time, who cooked up the event to raise money to preserve our city’s historic heritage. At the first few festivals, the food sold was truly homecooked – all prepared by the ladies in their own kitchens.
Today, the popular four-day event is sponsored by and benefits the San Antonio Conservation Society, one of the nation’s oldest and most active historic preservation organizations. NIOSA still raises funds for historic preservation and it is still presented by volunteers, but it’s grown from just a handful of women to almost 10,000 volunteers. The annual San Antonio tradition serves up our cultural diversity to more than 85,000 revelers every year through the magic of 200-plus food, drink and atmosphere booths, 14 live musical acts, children’s games, decorations, souvenirs and costumed volunteers.
WHAT’S NEW IN 2018?
After 70 years of producing one of San Antonio’s most popular events, organizers know what visitors love, and they aim to give people what they want.
Expect longtime favorites like Haymarket area’s beef fajitas, puffy tacos and Maria’s Tortillas, Yak-I-Tori and egg rolls in Chinatown, beignets and escargot in the French Quarter, Mr. Chicken and those delicious pralines in Froggy Bottom, steer-on-a-stick in Frontier Town, fajitas de pollo in the Mexican Market and fried mushrooms and Bongo-K-Bobs along the International Walkway.
NIOSA Chair Margie Arnold and her all-volunteer team aren’t changing the plan much, but there are a few new times making an appearance this year.
So far, organizers have added chips and queso in the Arneson Theatre, Mandarin screwdrivers, fried rice and pot stickers in Chinatown and pulled pork sandwiches in Main Street USA. In a nod to our UNESCO World Heritage Site, enjoy Mission Trail Ale brewed by Ranger Creek Brewing & Distilling.
A little planning will help you and your crew get the most out of this party. The NIOSA website is the best place to check for updates with an interactive map that details the foods, beverages and entertainment for every area.
YES! THERE ARE HEALTHY EATS AT NIOSA
By the way it is possible to visit NIOSA and eat healthy and deliciously.
BEST BET: In Villa España, try the shrimp parilla. Other options that fith the bill include Bongo-K-Bobs, roasted corn, City Slickers (seasoned cucumbers), Texas Bird Legs, Steer-on-a-Stick and fruit kabaobs, healthier, yummy choices. And the aguacates (fresh avocado halves filled with sour cream and spicy sauce) and Baja fish tacos make our list of healthier NIOSA eats too.
LIBATIONS!
Returning this year to all areas (except Clown Alley and Sauerkraut Bend areas) are Miller Lite and Coors Light. In select beer booths, guest will also find Blue Moon, George Killian’s, Shiner Premium, Dos Equis, and in Mission Trail, don’t forget to give San Antonion’s own Ranger Creek Brewing’s Mission Trail Ale a try. NIOSARITAs introduced last year were a hit and return this year in both lime and strawberry flavors in South of the Border. At Sauerkraut Bend, enjoy Heineken, Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy, Shiner Bock, Shiner Premium, malt beverages (in orange and root beer flavors) and LOCAL craft beers on draft from Ranger Creek, including San Antonio Lager, Love Struck Hefe (German-style Hefeweizen) and OPA.
Premium Smirnoff malt beverages, wine margaritas, sangria, four varities of wine (Chardonnay, Merlot, Moscato, Burgundy) and champagne can also be found in select areas, as well as three varities of the very popular Preparadas (a flavored malt beverage with fresh fruit, chamoy and chili lime powder).
Non-alcoholic options include Piña Coconada with Crema, Mexican coffee and hibiscus tea in Mexican Market, Mangonadas in Frontier Town, Jugos Frescas in South of the Border and Banana Smoothies in Arneson Theatre, as well as sodas, coffee and tea throughout the area.
A CELEBRATION FOR PRESERVATION
The most important fact about A Night in Old San Antonio is that San Antonio’s party feast is a “Celebration for Preservation”. Thanks to cash raised by NIOSA, the Society can continue its mission preserving historic buildings and more. The San Antonio Conservation Society, established in 1924, is credited with saving and preserving much of the city’s history.
Roughly $1.5 million is netted annually at NIOSA, and the proceeds support restoration and preservation of historic properties, parks and waterways throughout the city and neighboring counties. Funds are also applied to education and advocacy initiatives like the Heritage Education tours, seminars, grants, scholarships, the resource library and two house museums.
This year, gate tickes are $15 for adults and kids 12 and under are free when accompanied by an adult. Beginning March 1, discount advance tickets are available for $12 at www.niosa.org, at the NIOSA Crafters’ Store in La Villita and at other locations. Discount e-tickets that can be downloaded to phones (Or printed) are also sold on the NIOSA website.
For more information on NIOSA, visit www.niosa.org, call (210) 226-5188 or email niosa@niosa.org.
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: THE EXCEPTIONAL NETTIE HINTON
Froggy Bottom, one of NIOSA’s 15 cultural areas, pays tribute to the cultural contributions of African-Americans. Froggy Bottoms’s namesake was a very popular social club on the near East Side of downtown San Antonio in the early 20th century … but in our opinion, no where near as popular and beloved as Ms. Nettie Hinton.
Ms. Hinton, one of the first black graduates of the University of Texas at Austin and revered, well known activist in the San Antonio area, is also a long-time volunteer for the Mama’s Sweets (pralines) booth in Froggy Bottom and a member of the San Antonio Conservation Society.
Patti Zaiontz, fellow member of the Conservation Society, Mexican Market Chair and two-time former NIOSA Chair, knows Ms. Hinton well.
“Nettie is eloquent, a soft-spoken woman who is quite knowledgeable about San Antonio history, especially the history of the East Side,” Ms. Zaiontz said. “She is a powerhouse of a woman – a force to be reckoned with – a sweet spirit with a constitution of steel.”
“And … she loves NIOSA and her pralines. I could sit and listen to her tell stories all day long.”
