UT San Antonio’s East Lawn and Brackenridge Lot transformed into a vibrant celebration on Saturday, as BestFest 2025 drew in hundreds of students, parents and alumni for an evening of food, fun and music. With entrance gates opening at 4 p.m., the festival offered hours of festivities before the main concert kicked off at 8 p.m.
The event showcased the spirit of Roadrunner Nation, with dozens of student clubs setting up booths across the venue. Festival-goers indulged in a wide array of culinary options — from savory quesadillas, burgers and tostadas to sweet treats, like fried Oreos and funnel cakes.
Students dressed up as tacos and dinosaurs to market their products and engage with attendees. Some booths offered games with prizes, including ball toss or cup pong. The festival’s strength was its accessibility. Between the student organization booths, the lawn games or the live music and dancing, there was enough variety to keep attendees engaged throughout the evening.
The Family Association operated a booth offering beer and water while selling commemorative T-shirts and souvenir cups to anyone donating at least $25.
Beyond food offerings, BestFest provided entertainment for all ages. A towering slide and classic merry-go-round attracted young crowds throughout the afternoon, while competitive spirits emerged at the cornhole and foosball stations strategically positioned near the Convocation Center and the new Flex Events stage. The family-friendly atmosphere created the perfect backdrop for community-building across generations of UT San Antonio supporters.
As the sun set, San Antonio’s E7 took the stage at 8 p.m. for a two-hour performance that had the crowd alive. The local cover band delivered an energetic setlist packed with crowd favorites, opening with Pitbull’s “Give Me Everything” and keeping the momentum with hits — “Crank That (Soulja Boy),” “I Gotta Feeling,” “Mr. Steal Your Girl,” “Bottoms Up” and “Angel” could be heard.
The band did not forget the older members of Roadrunner Nation, treating them to an 80s-themed mashup that brought nostalgia and dance moves in equal measure. Classic anthems, like “I Will Survive” and “Funkytown” sparked singalongs and proved that great music transcends generations.
BestFest 2025 exemplified what makes the UT San Antonio community special — the coming together of students, families and alumni to celebrate school spirit in an atmosphere of inclusivity and joy.
As attendees filed out at 10 p.m., the consensus was clear: This year’s BestFest was a clear success.
“I feel like this year is definitely more energetic,” Nathaniel Taylor, a UT San Antonio student, said. “We’re out there. I see a bunch of families out here. Music is blasting. It’s definitely giving the culture of San Antonio.”
Natalie Munoz, student and president of the Women in Pre-Law Association, has attended Bestfest the past couple of years and spoke on how this year compares.
“I think there’s the same amount of booths, but I think that this year the booths definitely went out a little bit more on the decorations,” Munoz said.
A slide and merry-go-round were set up, with lawn games like cornhole, foosball and axe-throwing near the convocation center and the new Flex Events stage on the east lawn. A spooky-themed photo booth and costumes elevated the atmosphere and added life to the event, but there are opportunities for improvement ahead of next year’s festival.
“I think just give maybe a couple more bands,” UT San Antonio student Nando Vargas said.
BestFest 2025 delivered what it set out to do: bring the UT San Antonio community together for a solid night of food, music and entertainment. BestFest has consistently established itself as a reliable tradition that successfully draws together the Rowdy Family.
