Welcoming The 21st Century Celebrating The Holidays In San Antonio

Hispanic Times Magazine, Dec, 1999 by Gloria Davis, Robert Kendall

A wonderful way to welcome the New Millennium is celebrating the holidays in historic San Antonio. The San Antonio River that winds its way through San Antonio, during the holiday season, will be reflecting tens of thousands of multi-colored lights as San Antonio celebrates the 1999 holiday season.

Traditional Posada songs will be sung by angelic niños, their young faces aglow by hand-held candlelight. All of this is happening because it's holiday time in San Antonio where the season takes on a magical glow as visitors and residents alike enjoy that special time of year in a city renowned for its beauty and holiday spirit.

There is a vast army of traditional celebrations in San Antonio, highlighting the city's multi-cultural heritage.

Visit 300 year old missions. Take part in the Mariachi Mass. Admire the treasured collections of folk art. You'll find one of a kind gifts in colorful markets and galleries throughout the city.

Participate in the Las Posados -- the centuries old reenactment of the Holy Family's search for an inn, that is acted out on the banks of the San Antonio River. Listen to the invigorating sound of the mariachis and Spanish carols which can be heard throughout the procession. Thrill to the Christmas Pageant along the River Walk.

There are few places other than San Antonio where visitors are treated to such a vast array of traditions celebrating the city's multi-cultural heritage.

San Antonio's downtown is made inviting and beautiful by its famous River Walk, situated 20 feet below street level. The famous RiverWalk features cobblestone and flagstone paths bordering both sides of the San Antonio River as it winds its way through the heart of the business district.

At one point along the River Walk, are quiet and parklike stretches, in other areas, there is plenty of activity, with European style sidewalk cafes, specialty boutiques, glamorous night clubs and gleaming high rises.

The River Walk extends almost 2-1/2 miles from the Municipal Conference Center on the north end to King William historic district on the south. The River Walk designs were primarily the work of the late Robert H.H. Hugman, a landscape architect.

Hugman and engineers Edwin P. Arenson finished most of the walks, arched bridges and entrance steps between 1939 to 1941. The River Walk was used primarily as a park for years. But in 1968, in preparation for the Hemisphere 1968, the World's Fair in San Antonio, commercial development and beautification along the river began in earnest and still continues, making San Antonio a world-class destination.

There is always something exciting happening along the River Walk. Gourmet restaurants offer the finest cuisines, from sizzling Texas steaks to Creole cooking and Italian pasta. Lively groups sing along in an Irish pub and Dixieland bands perform far into the night. Hard-Rock Cafe anchors SouthBank, a collection of entertainment and dining options. Planet Hollywood anchors Presidio Plaza, the newest complex on the River Walk.

The river's transportation system provides a novel method of sight-seeing and people watching in downtown San Antonio. Groups can also board candlelit cruises, serving dinners. River cruisers deliver visitors to Rivercenter, a dazzling three level glass shopping, dining and entertainment complex, and to the Henry P. Gonzalez Convention Center.

Thousands of new hotel rooms have been added to the San Antonio Hotel room inventory in the past two years; bringing the total count of rooms up to 24,000. ADAMS MARK HOTELS is converting an office building along the River Walk into a 410 room hotel. The HILTON, The MARRIOTT and other grand hotels invite their guests to enjoy luxury surroundings and superb service.

San Antonio River Walk will sparkle in the dazzling glow of 120,000 holiday lights from the 28th of November through New Year's Day. After the switch is thrown on November 28, gaily decorated floats will glide gracefully along the winding river in the historic nighttime parade.

The San Antonio Symphony will join with the Austin Vocal Ensemble in performances of Handel's "Messiah" from December the 10th to December the 12th.

Sports fans will usher in the holiday season on December the 4th at the BIG 12 FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME, and the annual SYLVANIA ALAMO BOWL game will be on December the 28th.

San Antonio New Year's revelers will be welcoming the NEW MILLENNIUM at the big San Antonio Celebration Party right in the heart of downtown. For an unforgettable 1999 holiday season, and for a wonderful way to welcome both the New Year and the NEW MILLENNIUM, San Antonio will be the place to celebrate.