JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas –
Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston’s presence in San Antonio predates Fiesta by nearly 50 years, so it’s no surprise that the armed forces – and JBSA in particular – play a prominent role in Military City’s biggest celebration.
This year’s Fiesta, April 20-30, will feature four armed forces days at the Alamo as well as events at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston and JBSA-Lackland and five performances by members of the Air Force Band of the West based at JBSA-Lackland.
The military’s participation in Fiesta 2017 will commence with JBSA-Lackland’s Fiesta Military Parade from 9-10 a.m. April 21 at the Parade Field, 4783 Andrews Ave. The free event is open to all Department of Defense cardholders and invited guests, including Fiesta royalty and officials, civic leaders and military commanders.
JBSA-Fort Sam Houston’s Fiesta and Fireworks Celebration is set for 1-9 p.m. April 23 at the MacArthur Parade Field. This event will feature live entertainment, carnival rides, food and Fiesta vendors, a military ceremony at 4 p.m., military static displays and the fireworks finale.
Armed forces days begin at 11 a.m. April 24 with Air Force at the Alamo, which will include a military working dog demonstration and a performance by JBSA-Lackland’s Drum and Bugle Corps.
Army Day at the Alamo, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 25, will be highlighted by patriotic songs performed by some of the Army’s finest musicians.
Marines at the Alamo is planned for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 26. Marines of the 4th Reconnaissance Battalion based in San Antonio, an equipment and arms display and a performance by the U.S. Marine Corps Band will be featured.
Navy Day at the Alamo is set for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 27 and will highlight the skills and capabilities of Navy members assigned to San Antonio, including security forces and hospital corpsmen.
The military’s mark on Fiesta will also be seen at the three parades that draw hundreds of thousands of spectators to downtown San Antonio – the Texas Cavaliers River Parade, 7-9 p.m. April 24; the Battle of Flowers Parade, 12:20-4 p.m. April 28; and the Fiesta Flambeau Parade, 6:30-10 p.m. April 29.
The Band of the West will be in the spotlight during its annual Fiesta in Blue concert at 7 p.m. April 25 in Trinity University’s Laurie Auditorium. Its ensembles will also be featured throughout Fiesta, including Top Flight at the Fiesta and Fireworks Celebration and the Texas Cavaliers River Parade, and the ceremonial marching band at the Battle of Flowers and Fiesta Flambeau parades.
Military members will also participate in two downtown events that honor veterans and the heroes who died defending the Alamo in 1836: the All Veterans Memorial Service from 1-2 p.m. April 24 and the Pilgrimage to the Alamo from 4-5 p.m. April 24.