¡Viva Fiesta! UTSA celebrates with medals, parades and royalty

Two Roadrunners ring in Fiesta with a cascarone fight during Día en la Sombrilla.

MARCH 27, 2025 — UTSA is gearing up for one of the city’s most vibrant traditions: Fiesta San Antonio. From medals and royalty to parades and campus activities, there is a strong Roadrunner presence in this year’s festivities.

Fiesta Medals

Planning to collect and trade medals at Fiesta San Antonio this year? UTSA is releasing three must-have keepsakes. 

The official UTSA 2025 Fiesta medal, titled Moving Together, features two interlocking rings: one adorned with iconic landmarks of San Antonio and the other showcasing symbols of UTSA and UT Health San Antonio. This design beautifully represents the deep connection between our city and university, highlighting how the progress of one fuels the advancement of the other.

Other releases to add to your collection include the UTSA Alumni medal and Fiesta Arts Fair medal.

The UTSA Alumni Association’s medal vibrantly celebrates the Roadrunner spirit, featuring a festive wreath decorated in shades of orange and blue. With dangling ribbons adding a touch of flair, UTSA’s beloved mascot, Rowdy, takes center stage.

Current Alumni Association members will receive priority access to purchase this year’s medal, while new members will receive the medal as a gift for joining the Alumni Association. Members of the broader community can purchase the medal at the Fiesta Arts Fair, as inventory is available.

Left to Right: The UTSA Alumni Association's 2025 Fiesta medal; the official UTSA 2025 Fiesta medal; and the 2025 Fiesta Arts Fair medal.

UTSA is also releasing a medal to commemorate the 2025 Fiesta Arts Fair, which will be held April 26-27 at the UTSA Southwest Campus. The fair brings together artists and art lovers from near and far for a festive celebration of creativity. 

To recognize the Fair’s 50^th anniversary, organizers commissioned a unique medal crafted by contemporary artist Robert Tatum. This special piece showcases Tatum's iconic cat mermaid inspired by midcentury modern graphic art, with the cat's hand symbolizing handmade art. Tatum is celebrated for his vibrant illustrations, graphic designs, advertising logos and paintings.

Attendees of the Fiesta Arts Fair show off their large, colorful hats and Fiesta medals.

Fiesta Royalty

Every year, nine individuals are elected as Fiesta Royalty, a longstanding tradition. These appointments span a year and involve service to the community, speaking engagements and promoting important causes.

This year, two current UTSA students will be representing the university as members of the Fiesta royal court. 

Kylie Rodriguez, a senior majoring in neuroscience, is Miss Fiesta 2025. Rodriguez aspires to attend medical school, commission as a Captain in the U.S. Air Force and specialize in trauma surgery.

London Nikol Keiler, a sophomore majoring in biology, has been crowned Queen of Soul for the second year in a row. Motivated by a desire to expand health care access, Keiler plans to enter medical school and become an orthopedic surgeon to help patients find ease and comfort in their daily lives. 

The Spirit of San Antonio Band (SOSA) celebrates Fiesta during the city's Flambeau Parade.

Fiesta Event

UTSA’s participation in Fiesta includes two official events: Día en la Sombrilla and the Fiesta Arts Fair. In addition, the university will have a float in each of the three major Fiesta parades, and the Spirit of San Antonio Band (SOSA) will be featured in the Battle of the Flowers parade this year.

Here’s the complete UTSA lineup for Fiesta-goers:

• April 24: Pin Pandemonium – All three UTSA official medals will be sold at this medal event extravaganza, part of the season’s opening event.
• April 25: Día en la Sombrilla – Attend this fun campus festival featuring student organizations selling food and other items to raise funds for professional development, events and recognition activities.
• April 26-27: Fiesta Arts Fair – This event features contemporary art from more than 100 artists, Fiesta favorite foods and drinks, live music by local and regional performers and a Young Artists Garden.
• April 28: Texas Cavaliers River Parade – Festive music will fill the air and vibrant floats will pass by as thousands watch from the banks of the San Antonio River.
• May 2: Battle of the Flowers Parade – The founding event of Fiesta, this parade is one of the largest in the United States and involves 10,000 participants.
• May 3: Flambeau Parade – This spectacular nighttime event features vibrant floats, illuminated costumes and marching bands.

— Drew Vincent