King William Fair

This year is the first year that I attend this fiesta event. We came a little late and we weren’t able to see everything, but for the most part it is family friendly and a great atmosphere where you see old friends and make new ones. There are two things that I don’t like– one that it’s a one day event and two the cost to get in. Make sure to arrive early do not arrive late, some food booths ran out of food and beverages. You can take your lawn chairs and your tent. I really like the King William Fair, it’s one of the classiest fiesta parties I’ve been to. To compare it to the crowds from NIOSA its not as bad. Plus as we entered there were people walking out giving away unused tickets so that saved us a little money. PS– they need to sell more medals!

4.5 star. It’s only fitting to review King Williams fair when Fiesta is winding down.
It’s another favorite Fiesta events of mine besides Oyster Bake. The King William historic area is awesome to begin with. It’s so beautiful and full of history. Hosting a fair/​celebration in this lovely neighborhood is even better.
I enjoyed walking around looking at all the houses decorated in fiesta themes, browsing and chatting with all the wonderful art and craft vendors, sampling fair food, and just having some random fun. I love art and the King Williams fair draws me to it because of that. I bought several small arts and crafts from local artists that were deff one of a kind. Those could make terrific gifts also.
Two years ago, this artist guy had an open house during the King Williams fair. He had paintings on display and food and drinks in his house. The public was invited to come in to enjoy everything. That was a cool experience for sure.
One downside though is the cost. It’s a bit high I have to admit. For example, the same chicken on a stick is almost twice the price here than Oyster Bake. Plus all the arts and crafts I want to buy, I usually spent lots of money. For that reason, I’ve only been once so far.

This is a wonderful San Antonio event! There’s all kinds of things to see and do. Make sure you show up early for the parade that goes through the center of the neighborhood.
It’s kind of a bummer that they’ve started charging admission to this place. It’s already kind of expensive without the admission fee. But everyone seems to always have such a good time. The parade is kind of a satire of the whole San Antonio Fiesta thing, with a more fanciful type of theme to it, usually.
Every year there’s always a great lineup of artists who come from all over the place to show off their goods. However, a lot of these artists are local, or at least from around Texas, and have Texas themed art.
The music lineup is always impressive. My favorite place to catch an act is the gazebo at the King William Park.
There’s so many great options for food. I can’t tell you who has the best tacos or food on a stick, but I always get in the longest line, because the crowd is usually savvy as to who has the best food.

I love a parade but not just any parade — the King William Fair parade! It’s definitely the kind where you can be a little goofy and maybe just a tiny bit obnoxious and everyone is a-​okay with it. The beautiful King William district also lends itself to a bit more intimacy in terms of a shebang of this caliber. And I love that you don’t have to buy tickets to sit on the sidewalks or lounge in your lawn chair to watch (it’s totally free!) Just get there early enough to claim a seat for your booty and you’re good to go.
If you do decide to purchase tickets for the vendor area, however, I would suggest you try to attempt to buy your tickets at the Fiesta Store on Broadway beforehand. Folks who waited until after the parade was over this year hopped in a line that went down most of Guenther Street. If you can’t go to the store, then do try to get there a bit early to purchase. My friends and I got there around 8 and there was hardly anyone buying tickets at that time.

I remember many years back I had a friend who lived on Guenther Street, who invited me to the King William Fair and parade. Back then it was free. It seemed like some alternative to the Fiesta, which at that point had become a bit stale and redundant. There were a few vendors, all artists with food and drink dispersed evenly. I still think of the parade that was half satire the other half, a jab at some of the residents there. The impression of college students wearing a costume of Sandra Cisnero’s Purple House, at that time a big headache for the neighborhood association, is still etched in my mind. But now it has grown and morphed like one of the big, crazy hats you might see there.
And yet of all of the Fiesta Events, it seems like the most mature (seemingly)of the lot. It is an amalgamation of the Oyster Bake and NIOSA. The last big event before Fiesta puts away its party hat for the year. That’s what draws everybody to it in all honesty.
I have noticed in recent years that it has become more family oriented and pet friendly. For example there is a section of the fair dedicated to children with rides and entertainment geared towards them. As I alluded to patrons walk their pooches with bright outfits, some as colorful as their owners; a pet sporting a Guayabera shirt.
Throughout the streets there is ample opportunity to see the city’s most beautiful historic homes. This is also an occasion where ladies and gentlemen come dressed to the nines. Women wearing mile-​high wedge shoes.(I don’t get that!) Men dressed in full Don Johnson mode ala Miami Vice fashions. In addition the smells and scents can be quite intoxicating, grills cooking fish to be made into tacos. Batter being whipped that will eventually become funnel cakes. The famous chicken on the stick, with jalapeño resides here. The King William Fair is definitely not for the diet conscious.
As you weave your way through the huge crowds, every nook and corner is cohabited by drink, food or art. On the art front you will find booths from local and national artists. I saw huge paintings of cats, Dia De Los Muertos prints, purses, jewelry, candles, t-​shirts, fancy mirrors, folk art etc. It is almost like where 1^st Friday had left off before the fun was sucked away from it. Pieces ranged from inexpensive to Sotheby’s prices. And certainly not to be outdone food and drink options have grown exponentially over the years as well.
This year I saw a more local presence of items in full force. Such eateries as the Cove, Alamo Street Café, Stout’s Pizza and Luke were selling their unique cuisines, unheard of in years past. There even seemed to be a greater sharing of wealth, as far as drink options were concerned, some vendors sold wines and craft beers. The Blue Star, Firestone Walker and local brewery Busted Sandal had brews on tap.
One criticism of the King William Fair is that everything here is overpriced. And I agree to some extent. However, you have to factor in the cost vendors must put in to make it all happen each year. Divide, multiply, subtract supplies and the high price to actually rent a booth and it all adds up. Most of the revenue generated at this event goes to preserve this historic area and also to various charities throughout the city.
Another critique is that it is overcrowded, again I do agree. But I think it reflects how Fiestas’ popularity intensifies with each year. Locals and the growing trend of tourists who attend events, like the King William Fair should not be discounted. In each case it is best to factor in what your budget is, as far as how much you will spend, to include time and act accordingly.
Yes, it is 10 dollars to get in. Yes, you will have to inevitably pay for parking somewhere. But even some investments, which in reality all Fiesta events truly are, are paid back in good memories with friends and family.
ps A band did a cover of The Smiths, «There is a light that never goes out,» to me, well worth the admission to get in.

Had so much fun! The fair was very family and pet friendly. There was art of all kinds to look through, different types of foods to try. From not good for you to healthy enough. Beer, wine, margaritas. Live music to enjoy, and almost an entire block for the kiddos. This was my first time visiting and with there being so much going on I felt it worth the $ 10 to get in. Ya, food was pricey but that’s what you expect going to the fair.
Bringing my fuzzy friend along I very much appreciated that both adults and kids alike were knowledgable and respectful enough to ask to pet. Big difference from the day to day.
During our stroll around King William we came across only one watering bowl. And one treats/​toys for pets stand. Not a BIG deal but there were lots of pets out and was surprised there wasn’t more.
Had a great time and look forward to next years King William Fair

It has its goods and it has its bad, probably better wo kids. of course what isnt’! Below is a link to my blog review:

Fiesta sucks when you live downtown. King William has always been the one sparkling exception to that rule in my experience, but I fear that I’ve seen the end of an era with this beloved event in San Antonio’s history. I lived right on the other side of the river, off Arsenal street, for a couple of years and I had the pleasure of the blockades on my street and the port-​a-​potty row within shouting distance from my porch, but I was never offered an invitation to get into the fair without paying. I gave it a shot this year, having moved away from that mess, and I left with mixed feelings.
The fair used to be free, and within five years now they’re not only charging to get in, but it was $ 10 to get in this year. I’m all about supporting the things that the fair goes to benefit, but everything inside the fair is already so expensive. The quality has slid backward in recent years. Since last year I noticed a few things, like the replacement of the fresh lemonade with with grossly overpriced bottled lemonade. There are even bigger crowds than ever, and it is nearly impossible to navigate certain parts of the fair. And despite all of that, everything costs more than ever.
This used to be a community event, I would go and run into people that I knew. I would wander around and get to see things and meet people I wouldn’t otherwise have crossed paths with. This year it felt like Six Flags, and that totally breaks my heart.

Favorite Fiesta event!
I’ve watched it grow in just four short years since I moved to SA and it makes my heart happy.
Don’t miss the parade, which leads the way into the fair. It’s definitely a quirky parade and not mainstream like Battle of Flowers, but the people watching is out of this world. Not to mention, you don’t have to contain yourself. Run out there and give the half-​dressed drag queen a hug if you want! Join in with the Napolean Dynamite themed float. Holler inappropriate sweet-​nothings to the scantily clad belly dancers.
Be sure to start walking towards the fair a bit before the parade ends, or else you’ll be stuck shoulder to shoulder with all the other spectators who waited to get in line. There’s your run of the mill festival food, but they also host a variety of local food trucks. Last year, Rickshaw Stop was there (winning), but not this year :(. But hands down, my favorite food at this festival is the Texas Twisters (or something like that). thinly sliced, greased up potatoes that are shaved into a spiral. I have yet to find them at any other Fiesta event. My bff and I actually have a running joke since every year we are determined to get the twisters, but by the time we get to KW Fair we are either 1) Too hungover to wait in line or 2) Too hungover to eat the damn things once we have them in hand. Even still, we give it a valiant effort each time.
Bring a lawn chair and post up on the lawn in the square and enjoy the live Tejano, sun, and cheer!

Although by the end of Fiesta, we’re all saying we’re sooooo ready for Fiesta to be over, in a few days, we’ll be wishing it was here again. King William Fair is one of my fave Fiesta activities and it was just as great this year as always!
I love the parade, the atmosphere, the kids, the costumes, the drinks. Everything. This event has really grown over the years. It used to be sort of an alternative Fiesta event, now it’s almost just as big as the big ones.
But, people seem to remain laid back here and very family-​oriented which is always nice. So, back to my first sentence, I was all Fiesta-​ed out this weekend, now I’m wishing there was still tons of fun stuff to look forward to over the next few days!

It was in the twilight of my adolescence that I first became aware of the mythical Fiesta event held in our historic King William district offering a respite from the drunken masses that had come to symbolize the typical Fiesta affairs like Oyster Bake, NIOSA and the now defunct La Semana Alegre.
Tales woven of lush oak canopied sidewalks, family friendly activities, artisans displaying their crafts, tours of the renovated historic mansions, folk bands, lemonade stands and free admission to the innocence spread wide across tiny streets named Beauregard, Sheridan and Madison.
Alas, as the years of my ebullient adolescence have become a distant faded memory so too must have the days of such a peaceful neighborhood event just south of town in the area now affectionately and appropriately known as Southtown.
For my first visit to the Fair (as a volunteer) it became apparent all too quickly that, even though NIOSA had ended just a few hours earlier and just a few short blocks down the road, DIOSA had immediately taken up the mantle here in the historic King William.
I enjoyed myself, of course, because I have never known any Fiesta event not to involve thousands of people paying way too much for bean gorditas and standing in lines way too long for chicken on a stick, beer in plastic cups, sausage wraps, shrimp kabobs, bad margaritas and funnel cake while bands play interchangeably on stages strewn strategically throughout the park in close proximity to the alcoholic booths.
I have never known anything other than that and apparently I never shall.