SAN ANTONIO: Performance Tour
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San Antonio’s old-Spanish flavor, multi-cultural
heritage and numerous parks and plazas make it one of
America’s more picturesque cities. Modern skyscrapers
coexist harmoniously with 18th-century restorations.
Since most of downtown was built before 1930, the architectural
mix is as varied as periods and materials allowed.
For Performing Groups:
Performance Venues can be
set up for you in San Antonio
For Performing Groups
requiring Adjudication
2006 Festival Dates are:
April 29; May 6
Call for Motorcoach and/or Airline pricing
(800) 247-7969
FEATURED ATTRACTIONS The Alamo downtown
near the river, was established in 1718 by Father
Antonio Olivares as a Spanish outpost
called the Mission San Antonio de Valero. In 1803
Spanish cavalry from Alamo de Parras, Mexico, moved
into the mission, and it was renamed Mission del
Alamo del Parras. Mexican dictator general Antonio
Lopez de Santa Anna and his army of 4,000 headed
toward San Antonio to launch an attack on the Alamo.
The Alamo garrison totaled less than 200 men. The
siege began on Feb. 23, 1836 and in the ensuing
13 days the Texans, committed to the freedom
of Texas,
held their ground until the pre-dawn hours of March
6 when Santa Anna’s troops stormed the north
wall. The patriots valiantly fought, but by 6:30
a.m. the battle was over – all 189 Texans had
been killed. The Alamo remains a symbol of Texas’ pride
and independent spirit.
La Villita is a restoration of San Antonio’s
earliest residential settlement, which sprang
up around Mission San Antonio de Valero. Buildings
along the shaded cobblestone walkways house shops
where
crafts are demonstrated. The area is often the
scene of social and community events.
Paseo del Rio (Riverwalk) is
an example of successful urban-renewal project.
Once lined
with ramshackle
houses, the river now is a prime attraction a
few steps below the business district. The Riverwalk
provides a pleasant stroll during the day, when
craft
shops and galleries are open and sidewalk terraces
teem with diners. The tree-lined footpaths, romantically
lighted at night, follow landscaped riverbanks
bordered by nightspots, restaurants and handicraft
shops...
Sea World of Texas This 250-acre marine-life
park features exhibits and shows that are designed
to
inform as well as entertain. More than 25 exhibits,
attractions and shows are offered. Killer whales,
featuring Shamu and Grandbaby Shamu, perform
in Shamu Stadium. Sea lions, otters and walruses
cavort
with
their human trainers in “The Pirates of Pinniped”.
The “Symphony of the Sea” features graceful
beluga whales and dolphins. “Sharks and the
Coral Reef” brings visitors face to face with
tropical fish, hammerhead sharks and eels. Other
highlights include a penguin habitat featuring more
than 200 polar birds, a feed-and-touch dolphin pool,
a flamingo habitat and a seal and sea lion community.
The park’s thrill rides include Rio Loco,
a river ride that whisks passengers under a waterfall,
and the Texas Splashdown, a half-mile flume ride.
Lost Lagoon is a 5-acre waterpark featuring a
tropical-theme wave pool, waterslides, a walk-through
aviary with
exotic birds and an alligator habitat.
Six Flags Fiesta
Texas is a 200-acre musical,
theme and water park in a former rock quarry
that has
100-foot cliff walls. There are a number of thematic
areas.
Los Festivales is a Hispanic village with a continuous
fiesta; the village of Spassburg is German, complete
with oompah bands. Crackaxle Canyon, an old-time
town of the Texas West, celebrates the 4th of
July every day.
Fiesta Bay Boardwalk and 1950’s
Rockville are thematic as well. The Ol’ Waterin’ Hole
and Ol’ Swimmin’ Hole feature water
slides, cannons and toboggans.
Rides include The Joker’s Revenge, a backward
roller coaster and interactive funhouse; The Wagon
Wheel, a ride that spins and lifts; the Road Runner
Express, a fast-paced ride in an Acme rocket; and
The Rattler – reputed to be the world’s
tallest and fastest wooden roller coaster. Also
featured are a high-tech laser game, a virtual
ride simulator,
a log flume, a free-fall and hang-gliding ride,
a steam train and an old-fashioned carousel.
The Guinness World
Records Museum, Ripley’s
Haunted Adventure, and Davy Crockett’s
Tall tales Ride San Antonio’s newest attractions
are located across from the Alamo! The museum
has 16 themed galleries featuring exhibits, artifacts,
videos, and games. The Haunted Adventure is a
three-story
ride through special effects, live actors, animatronics
and elaborate sets.
Davy Crockett’s Tall
Tales Ride is a park-style ride through the life
and times
of Davy Crockett. It is a narrated journey told
by Davy himself through animatronic characters,
colorful
sets, and special visual effects. Tower of the Americas a concrete spire rising
750 feet, symbolizes the desire for achievement.
Glassfronted
elevators speed passengers up the outside of
the tower to an observation deck and revolving
restaurant
for views of the city and 100 miles of south
Texas hill country. |