An edited version of this article appeared in the May 2018 issue of RIO Magazine, the official magazine of the San Antonio River Walk Association.

For a city that pre-dates the Declaration of Independence, San Antonio is–by any measure–a mature metropolis, but it has the heart of a young hamlet. And like all youngsters, it would like to invite everyone to its 300th birthday party!

Founded in 1718 by Spanish missionaries, San Antonio is celebrating its Tricentennial all year long, but the first week in May will pay special tribute to all those who’ve made the Alamo City one of America’s most unique and well-loved municipalities. Download the free SA 300 app to stay in the loop.

“San Antonio is 300 years old, but so much history is happening right now that people can be a part of,” said Laura Elizabeth Mayes with the City of San Antonio’s Government and Public Affairs Department.

Join the party and help celebrate San Antonio!

Tuesday, May 1: Day of Reflection

San Antonio was founded as a mission on land that had been occupied by native people for thousands of years. The Day of Reflection is an opportunity for faith-based communities to set their intentions for the next 300 years during a candlelight vigil in Main Plaza.

Attendees will have the opportunity to write their hopes and prayers on ribbons that will be displayed throughout the week. At 8:18 p.m. (20:18), church bells will ring throughout the city. A commemorative flame will symbolize San Antonio’s unity while leaders of 21 religious groups will offer minute-long blessings. The evening will wrap up with a video/art projection of San Antonio | The Saga on San Fernando Cathedral.

Wednesday, May 2: History and Education

San Antonio’s residents and visitors will have the opportunity to engage in every city council district at all 28 branch libraries and the Central Library from 2:30 p.m to 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday of Commemorative Week. STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) will be the focus, and visitors will be able to make come-and-go projects, like elephant toothpaste, slime and paper circuits, and learn about butterfly science.

The City of San Antonio’s Parks and Recreation Department will plant 300 trees at higher education institutions across the city, and Trinity University Press will release a Tricentennial commemorative book in June that may be purchased on its website.

Thursday, May 3: Founders Day

This day will celebrate San Antonio’s founding as a municipality in 1731. A ticketed fundraiser/gala will take place at the Henry B. González Convention Center, but free celebrations will occur all around town.

The Texas A&M University-San Antonio celebration will focus on Native American and Latino contributions to San Antonio. The University of Texas at San Antonio will host a mini-Folklife Festival that highlights San Antonio’s cultural diversity. St. Philip’s College will showcase the life of its founder, Artemisia Bowden, in a play, and it will present a curated exhibit of 22 local African-American artists. Our Lady of the Lake University will feature the West Side’s contributions to San Antonio, including walking/biking tours of its large-scale murals. Morgan’s Wonderland will offer free admission to the entire community, highlighting San Antonio’s inclusiveness to people of all abilities.

Friday, May 4: Arts for All

Friday’s events will feature art celebrations throughout the city and at local museums. At 8:30 a.m., Mexico’s Tricentennial gift to San Antonio, “Alas de la Cuidad” by artist Jorge Marín, will be dedicated at the Tower of the Americas’ courtyard.

Admission at area museums–Blue Star Contemporary, the DoSeum, the Witte, SAY Sí, the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center, the Linda Pace Foundation and more–will be free from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. A Musical Bridges Concert is slated for the Carver Center. Free dance and choir performances will take place at public spaces along with free tours of public art.

In addition, Bexar County will host 300 Years of Life, a 5-mile long celebration at Mission San Juan, Mission Concepción and Mission County Park, starting at 4 p.m. that will end with a giant display of fireworks at 9:30 p.m. over the Mission Reach.

Saturday, May 5: Legacy Day

The Tricentennial Celebration is not just a party. It’s also an opportunity for current citizens to leave behind something significant, a legacy, for future generations to enjoy. Thanks to the vision and planning of Bexar County’s leaders, the San Pedro Creek Project, Phase 1, a 2.2-mile long linear park, will officially open near Columbus Park. Mariachis, food trucks, a nacimiento performance by the Canary Islanders and more will take place from noon until 9 p.m.

It’s also a day to honor the contributions of the missions in San Antonio, the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas and one of only 23 in the United States.

Sunday, May 6: Military Appreciation

Last but not least, Sunday will celebrate San Antonio’s long and illustrious military history and its current active duty military who serve at Joint Base San Antonio. After all, Military City USA, San Antonio’s nickname, is registered trademark. Ft. Sam Houston will be open to the public for hourly tours and demonstrations from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. and will close out with a big musical act and fireworks.

To prepare for the week’s events, don’t miss “Confluence and Culture: 300 Years of San Antonio History,” a Tricentennial exhibition at the Witte Museum through Jan. 6, 2019. Visitors will gain a better understanding of the people–Native American, Spanish, Mexican, Tejanos, German, African American, military and more–who have made and continue to make San Antonio the exceptional city that it is. The interactive/immersive experience costs $5 plus museum admission.

¡Viva San Antonio! Happy birthday to you…and many more!

Denise Barkis Richter, Ph.D., author of “San Antonio’s Passport to Fun,” has been blogging about San Antonio since June of 2010. Follow her at facebook.com/SanAntonioTourist so that you’ll never miss a post. Her love affair with the Alamo City began at Hemisfair in 1968. She moved to San Antonio in 1979 as an 18-year-old college student, and San Antonio has been her home ever since. Denise completed certification to become a professional tour guide in 2019. Please contact her at sanantoniotourist at gmail dot com if you’d like for her to curate a fabulous San Antonio experience for you!