As UT San Antonio students and San Antonians walked onto the Sombrilla on April 17, they were greeted by sights of confetti, flower crowns and the dances and cheers of people celebrating the 48th annual Día en la Sombrilla, the school’s celebration to kick-off Fiesta.
Walking down the steps by the formidable Rowdy statue, Fiesta-goers were greeted by the swaying and swishing dresses and rhythmic movement of members of UT San Antonio’s Ballet Folklórico. The dancers joined arm-in-arm with attendees of all experience levels as they spun across the Sombrilla. Further into the festival, booths galore lined the plaza, creating a maze of edible delights for students to devour. Club representatives paraded the rows holding signs advertising their organizations’ delectables, while attendees lined up to be the first to try the tostadas, fajita quesadillas and more being served by student organizations.
The Pre-Physician Assistant Society sold loaded chips to fundraise for their organization. Senior kinesiology major and Fundraising Coordinator Ashley Garcia ran the booth and discussed the gratifying experience.
“I honestly really like how UTSA allows us to run this because we are in a very Hispanic serving community, and being able to celebrate that culture — the Hispanic side, the Mexican side, any type of culture in the Latin American community — is just really great,” Garcia said.
The Texas heat plagued Día en la Sombrilla, but one could not notice it from looking at the attendees. Students danced to their heart’s desire, performing the “Payaso de rodeo” line dance and grooving to Bad Bunny, while those in need of a chill purchased aguas frescas and Jarritos from the booths.
Food and refreshments were not the only goods being sold at the colorful booths. One handed out cascarones, traditional Mexican eggshells filled with confetti, for Fiesta-goers to smash on each other’s heads. Proof of the activity was evident everywhere one looked, with small but vibrant circles of confetti scattered across the Sombrilla.
Attendees could adorn their heads with flower crowns made of UT San Antonio’s colors that could be purchased from a booth, while the American Society for Microbiology’s booth across the plaza offered a mini basketball trial with prizes of varying values coinciding with the number of baskets scored.
The DJ sat in his makeshift stage, hosting contests for the duration of the event. In the “Guess that song” game, he had volunteers try to name the artist of songs such as “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom” by Selena.
Later on, eager contestants lined the stage to compete in a mystery contest: a grito competition. An anticipatory aura settled over the crowd as the first contestant went up, giving a polite grito into the microphone. The remaining gritos ranged from meek to boisterous, nervous contestants still giving it their all. As each potential winner was offered up to a test of applause, two girls tied and won UT San Antonio Fiesta medals.
Freshman chemical engineering major Monique Nnate, one of the winners, descended the stairs to the cheers of her friends. She described how she did not expect to win the contest at her first ever Fiesta at UT San Antonio.
“I just came out here to support all the organizations,” Nnate said. “I loved watching the Ballet Folklorico dance, and I just love seeing all the Mexican culture.”
Students left Día en la Sombrilla with UT San Antonio Fiesta medals, shirts, full bellies and appreciation for Mexican culture, ready for a siesta after hours of dance and celebration.
