ALAMO PLAZA
11:45am – 12:45pm Beethoven Dance Band
12:45pm- 1:45pm L’association De Musique Cadienne Francaise De Louisiana
1:45pm – 2:15pm Irishfree School of Irish Dance
2:15pm – 2:45pm Cox Family Singers
3:00pm – 3:30pm Ballet Folklórico Borikén
3:30pm – 4:00pm Ecos de Puerto Rico
ALAMO GARDENS
10:30am – 11:00am San Antonio Pipes & Drums
11:00am – 12:00pm Musical Tribute to Founders in Alamo Hall
CAVALRY COURTYARD
1:00pm – 1:45pm Ravenmoor (Celtic Music)
2:00pm – 2:45pm Southern Winds Intertribal Group Drum Performance
3:00pm – 3:45pm Hermann Sons Polkateers
MUSICAL TRIBUTE TO FOUNDERS
The Musical Tribute to Founders will take place at 11:00am in Alamo Hall, located behind The Alamo and adjacent to the DRT Library. Master of Ceremonies Sonny Melendrez will emcee the event and highlights will include performances by the Texas Children’s Choir, one of only four children’s choirs in the United States selected to sing a concert as the National Children’s Choir at Carnegie Hall in New York City in April. The Texas Children’s Choir is under the direction of Dr. Thomas G. Hardaway II, founder and organist/choirmaster since 1989. Seating is limited and available on a first-come basis.
Historical, cultural and educational exhibits from 50 organizations will offer glimpses into the diversity of San Antonio’s people. (See the Exhibitors list here.)
SPECIAL TOUR
A special feature of the afternoon festivities will a historical walking tour through the grounds of the The Alamo from the Professional Tour Guide Association of San Antonio. As you visit these four history stations, you will have the opportunity to learn more about each topic from professional tour guides, who will entertain you with true stories and amazing legends. The history trail includes:
HISTORIC & MEMORABLE EVENTS
San Antonio has a rich and unique history. Hear some of the amazing stories and events that have happened over the last three centuries. Here you can learn about the first San Antonio fire station in Alamo Plaza, the first demonstration of barbed wire, the mesquite pavers, and the Menger Hotel.
THE WATERS
The San Antonio River begins at a group of springs on the campus of the University of the Incarnate Word. The largest of these springs is called the Blue Hole. Visitors in the 1800s describe the spring gushing many feet in the air from the earth. When the Spanish missionaries arrived in 1718 they and the Indian converts began building a system of irrigation ditches, called “acequias” throughout the area. This system brought water from the San Antonio River to the missions.
THE ARCHITECTURE
When you stand in the middle of the Alamo grounds, you can see buildings from the 1700s, the 1800s, the 1900s, and the current century. Many of our older buildings began with one purpose, and are now used for something completely different. You can learn how our city has changed over the years.
THE GARDENS
The native people were hunter-gatherer Indian tribes. They collected native plants and hunted wild animals for their food. When the missionaries arrived, they brought new foods and taught the Indians to become farmers and ranchers. As colonists from different cultures arrived, their influence was added to the mix. The food we enjoy today is a result of many influences joining together.
San Antonio Founders Day Alliance
Presents
9th Annual San Antonio Founders Day™
The great city of San Antonio deserves a great celebration worthy of its heritage … and San Antonio Founders Day™, was born nine years ago through the vision of the late historian Frank W. Jennings, whose commitment and enthusiasm made the celebration a reality.
The day-long musical, cultural, historical and educational celebration will be held on Saturday, October 20, 2012 from 10:00am to 4:00pm at The Alamo. The selection of this site is fitting as Mission San Antonio de Valero, the forerunner of The Alamo, was one of the first institutions established by the Spanish along the banks of the San Antonio River.
Founders Day is San Antonio's celebration of 294 years in one of the most interesting and history-filled cities in America. We celebrate our city's unique communal harmony -- its remarkable “convivencia” that people come from all over Texas and far beyond to admire and enjoy. San Antonio is truly “an enchanted city.”
More than 20 cultural groups and outstanding individuals who have, since the 1700s, made our city what it is today. We honor the people who took part in history-making events during the city’s development in the years 1718, 1731, 1836, 1968 to 2012.
San Antonio Founders DayTM activities begin at 10:00am until 4:00pm as Alamo Plaza, the Alamo Gardens, Cavalry Courtyard and Alamo Hall come alive with musical entertainment and historical reenactments. All events are free to the public.
Entertainment schedule includes:
