SAN ANTONIO, April 17, 2015 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Fiesta San Antonio, the citywide celebration commemorating the history and culture of San Antonio, kicked off celebrations Thursday. The City of San Antonio welcomes locals and visitors from around the world who attend the annual event to enjoy the many festivities through Sunday, April 26.

The City’s Green. Fit. Friendly. Fiesta initiative reminds Fiesta-goers to think “green” by recycling, using alternative modes of transportation, making healthier food choices and promoting a smoke-free environment.

“Five years ago, we responded to community requests by initiating a recycling program for the first time ever during Fiesta,” Mayor Ivy R. Taylor said. “We’ve seen a great change toward picking up litter and recycling rather than throwing away plastic bottles and cups. Let’s make Green. Fit. Friendly. Fiesta as much a tradition as Fiesta itself.”

Fiesta attendees are asked to place plastic bottles and aluminum cans in recycling receptacles at Fiesta events and parades. Blue recycling and brown garbage carts will be stationed at most street intersections along parade routes for convenient disposal of items. Solid Waste Management staff and volunteers from the City of San Antonio and Keep San Antonio Beautiful will distribute yellow-mesh bags to collect recyclables during the Battle of Flowers and Fiesta Flambeau parades. Parade attendees who are seen utilizing the yellow mesh recycling bags correctly may receive a special Fiesta medal for their efforts. 

Residents and visitors are also encouraged to utilize the City’s bike share program, San Antonio B-Cycle, for travel to and from Fiesta events. San Antonio offers 55 B-Cycle stations and 450 bikes convenient to downtown with day and weekly passes for purchase. Annual memberships are also offered.

To promote a healthy and family-friendly Fiesta environment, a smoking ban prohibits smoking in areas with public right-of-ways along streets, sidewalks and the San Antonio River during three Fiesta parades: Texas Cavaliers’ River Parade, Fiesta Battle of Flowers Parade and Fiesta Flambeau Parade. Private properties are excluded from the ban, though voluntary compliance is encouraged.

“The Green. Fit. Friendly. Fiesta initiative is one way the City of San Antonio contributes to the overall Fiesta experience,” City Manager Sheryl Sculley said. “Residents and visitors can ensure a positive Fiesta experience for all by recycling, opting for alternative modes of transportation and making healthier food choices.”

As one of San Antonio’s signature events, Fiesta San Antonio is an 11-day celebration attracting nearly 3.5 million visitors each year and featuring more than 100 events that boast music, food, sports, pageantry, military and patriotic observances, exhibits and parades.

For information regarding B-Cycle and the City’s bike share program, visit sanantonio.bcycle.com. For more information on Fiesta San Antonio, visit fiesta-sa.org or sanantonio.gov.

City on the Rise: San Antonio

San Antonio is a city on the rise for the new face of America—a diverse, progressive and globally competitive city with a solid vision for national and international economic development. The City of San Antonio maintains a strong financial position with a “AAA” general obligation bond rating from all three major rating agencies. In 2014, Forbes labeled San Antonio the “Best City in the Southwest” for adults ages 18-34 for its dynamic economy, employment opportunities and affordable living. As the seventh-largest city in the United States, San Antonio is experiencing solid economic growth in 21st century industries such as bioscience, aerospace, cybersecurity and healthcare, which contribute billions to the local economy. San Antonio has also positioned itself at the forefront of the New Energy Economy in the United States, committed to investing and creating employment opportunities in green industries. San Antonio continues to experience the addition of missions at its several military commands, further fostering a significant relationship spanning more than 200 years. Thirty-one million visitors come to San Antonio every year, generating more than $13.4 billion annually and making the travel industry a vital asset to the city’s economic health. For more information, visit www.sanantonio.gov.