Beginning Friday, June 8 through Sunday, June 10, 2007, UTSA’s Institute of Texan Cultures hosts this three-day cultural extravaganza where visitors revel in a smorgasbord of ethnic foods, world music and traditional folk dance. What makes this event so unique is that over 40 cultural groups from across Texas come together to share their traditions and ensure that these special and rich customs continue.

Choose from more than 150 ethnic foods, folk dances and a wide variety of music on nine entertainment stages, carnival rides, activities for the kids and fun for the whole family!

Here’s a short list of the many things you can do, make, experience, try, share, watch, listen to at the 36^th annual Texas Folklife Festival!

• Spend quality time with your family!
• Taste a pierogi—a classic Polish dish.
• Learn how to make German sauerkraut, preserves and even wine.
• Sink your teeth into a homemade Mexican gordita.
• Learn to Clog
• Listen to Texas’ best storytellers weave a tall tale.
• Watch the Hula Halau Ohana Elikapeka dance group perform a traditional dance.
• Try Filipino pancit for the first time.
• Challenge yourself in the Luling Watermelon Thump contest—and spit a watermelon seed!
• Try the Alsatian’s famous parisa on a cracker.
• Hear some of the state’s most diverse music.
• Buy a Texas Folklife Festival T-shirt at the Souvenir booth.
• Shop for authentic Texas crafts.
• Enjoy the carnival rides.
• Climb the Belgian pole and ring the bell.
• Be mesmerized by the Lebanese folk dancers.
• Test your cowboy skills with fancy roping.
• Saw a log.
• Learn to carve limestone.
• Find out how our forefathers prepared their meals using Dutch ovens and a fire.

So, join the fun, celebrate your heritage and show your Texas pride at the 36th annual Texas Folklife Festival-It's all about friendship.

Hours

 Location

Held in downtown San Antonio at UTSA’s Institute of Texan Cultures, the Texas Folklife Festival fills almost 22-acres of adventure at the corner of Bowie and Durango, just off I-37 S.

Tickets

Admission tickets may be purchased one of seven ways:

1. Area H-E-B’s (May 1 – June 10)
2. At one of three San Antonio military installation bases—The Sam Houston Building 1395 at Fort Sam Houston, and the Information, Tickets and Tours Offices at Lackland and Randolph Air Force Bases (May 1 – June 10)
3. UTSA’s 1604 and Downtown Campus Fiscal Services Office (May 1 – June 10)
4. Phone, 210-458-2259 or toll-free at 1-800-776-7651 (May 1 – June 1)
5. Fax, 210-458-2366 (May 1 – June 1)
6. At the gate (June 8 – 10)

Group Tickets

Can you put a group together of at least 25 adults who want to come to the Festival? Buy group tickets and take advantage of special discounted pricing—only $6 each adult admission ticket. Purchase tickets by calling 210-458-2259 and share the savings when you buy 25 or more adult admissions.

UTSA’s Institute of Texan Cultures

When you come to the Festival, you will also gain admission to UTSA's Institute of Texan Cultures where you will learn how people with many different beliefs, ideas, social structures and resources came together to build one strong, proud state. Through stories of Texas’ diverse citizens and contributors, guests are invited to join in the celebration of Texas’ multicultural heritage. The Institute is open to the public from 10 am – 6 pm Tuesday through Saturday and on Sunday from Noon until 5 pm.

During the Festival, admission to "Here be Dragons " will cost $3 per guest.

The Institute is closed every Monday, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Please note that the Institute is also closed on Tuesday, June 5 and Wednesday, June 6 in preparation for the Festival, and is open only during the Festival’s hours for the rest of the week.

Food and Beverages

Belgian waffles, Cajun gumbo, Indian sag paneer, Mexican paletta and Wendish noodles—these are just a few of the 150 authentic foods served at the Texas Folklife Festival. Plus, there are a wide variety of beers from around the world, wine, sangria as well as bottled water and sodas available to visitors.

Coupons are the Festival’s currency and all proceeds support the various participating ethnic groups and ensure that their customs continue. Your attendance guarantees that these rich cultural traditions continue to be a part of our lives.

The Festival respectfully requests that all visitors refrain from bringing ice chests, pets, bicycles and alcoholic beverages on the grounds.

Coupons

As the Festival’s only currency for purchasing food and beverages, booths are conveniently located across the grounds to sell coupons (50¢ each). For your convenience, select booths accept credit cards (MasterCard, Visa and Discover) for a $20 minimum charge.

Personal/Business Checks

We are unable to accept personal or business checks for payment of admission tickets or food and beverage coupons.

ATMs

For your convenience, there are two ATMs located at the Festival.

Texas crafts

Everything’s better (and bigger) in Texas! You’ll love the wide variety of authentic Texas craft vendors located along the veranda and across the grounds. Artisans come from across the state to sell their creations—home décor, artwork, gardening, jewelry, imported items, handmade items, soaps, clothing and so much more.

Entertainment

The Texas Folklife Festival is known for its wide variety of entertainment including traditional folk dances, world music and some of the best storytellers in the country. There are nine entertainment stages located throughout the Festival grounds that showcase these performers.

Click here for the 2007 entertainment schedule.

Refunds

There are no refunds for admission tickets or unused coupons.

Inclement Weather/Rain

The show must go on—rain or shine.

VIA Park and Ride

There are four VIA Park and Ride locations that will provide service to the Texas Folklife Festival

• Crossroads Mall—N.W. Loop 410 & IH-10 West, east of the mall
• Randolph—IH-35 & Randolph Blvd.
• Blossom Athletic Center—12002 Jones-Maltsberger Road, off 281N
• South San Stadium—On Bobcat Lane, north of South San High School

A full-fare round trip ticket may be purchased for $6 per person. The Yellow Streetcar route is available to transport passengers throughout downtown and to the Folklife Festival. The fare is $1.00 each way. Half-fare discounts are available to children 5-11, senior citizens 62 and older with VIA photo ID, persons with disabilities, Medicare recipients and students with VIA ID or Semester Pass. VIAtrans patrons, their personal care attendants and a companion ride free.

VIA hours of operation to the Festival begin 30 minutes before the gates open and continue 30 minutes after the gates close. The exact hours are as follows:

• Friday, June 8, beginning at 4:30 pm until 11:30 pm
• Saturday, June 9 from 9:30 am until 11:30 pm
• Sunday, June 10 from 11:30 am until 7:30 pm

For additional Park & Ride or Streetcar information, please call VIA at 210-362-2020 or visit www.viainfo.net.

Parking

There is no parking available on site. The entire grounds are used for the production of the Festival. However, there are many options for parking lots that are within walking distance to the Festival. If you need access to handicapped parking, it is recommended that VIAtrans be considered as a more convenient and viable mode of transportation.

Participants

For more information on how to participate in the Texas Folklife Festival, please click here.

Hotels and Lodging

If you are from out-of-town and would like to come to San Antonio to enjoy the 36^th Annual Texas Folklife Festival, click for a complete listing of hotels and motels in and around the city.

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