To address growing concerns about the new coronavirus, the Fiesta San Antonio Commission along with the City of San Antonio announced the postponement of all Fiesta 2020 events today. Following that direction to help ensure the community’s health and safety, the St. Mary’s University Alumni Association today decided to suspend Fiesta Oyster Bake until April 16 and 17, 2021.
“Over the past month, we have evaluated the concerns of health professionals, the impact on our hospitality industry, and the desire to continue San Antonio’s tradition of Fiesta,” Jeanie Travis, Fiesta San Antonio Commission president, said in a statement. “We want to inform all of you that we are listening to your concerns and wishes. Throughout all of our discussions and decisions, our primary goal is to have a safe Fiesta that poses no risks to our attendees and volunteers. We have concluded that the tradition of Fiesta must continue, but on different dates.”
For more than 100 years, Fiesta Oyster Bake has drawn crowds to the springtime celebration. The event on the St. Mary’s University campus regularly draws 60,000 to 70,000 attendees. It is the largest fundraiser for the St. Mary’s University Alumni Association, generally netting several hundred thousand dollars for scholarships and University and alumni programs each year.
“The St. Mary’s University Alumni Association strives all year long, and especially through Fiesta Oyster Bake, to support the students and programs that define a St. Mary’s education,” said Michael J. Martinez (B.A. ’85), who is chair of Fiesta Oyster Bake and a University trustee. “Although our decision to cancel our 2020 event may disappoint alumni, friends and fans, our commitment to Fiesta Oyster Bake remains strong. We look forward to welcoming our community back in April 2021.”