September 6 marks the beginning of the World Heritage Festival 2017, hosted in San Antonio, TX. The World Heritage Festival is known as an annual collaborative event to celebrate and promote our San Antonio Missions, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and raises funds to preserve, maintain, promote, and connect. The Festival runs from September 6-10, 2017. This five day celebration is spread throughout the five San Antonio Missions and their surrounding areas, and has something for everyone.
According to the World Heritage Festival 2017 official website, “The City of San Antonio, in coordination with Bexar County, San Antonio River Authority (SARA), National Park Service, The Alamo, Mission Heritage Partners (formerly Los Compadres), and Las Misiones organized the first City of San Antonio World Heritage Festival in 2016. The festival occurs after Labor Day weekend and overlaps with the Organization of World Heritage Cities, Solidarity Day of World Heritage Cities that occurs annually on September 8th. The Organization of the World Heritage Cities was created on this date and urges the administration of each member city to take advantage of this day to stress the important responsibility of the city to protect as well as promote the world heritage and especially the privilege of having a part of that heritage in their city.”
World Heritage Festival 2017: Events
Check out some of the major events taking place at this year’s World Heritage Festival 2017 (information courtesy of the City of San Antonio):
Entre La Sombra: Life Along the Mission Art Exhibit Opening Reception
The exhibition showcases the intangible culture of our San Antonio Missions through original pieces inspired by oral histories; providing a glimpse into the unique and rich history of the individuals whose families have lived and continue to live both inside and outside the mission’ walls.
The event is hosted at Culture Commons Gallery, 115 Plaza de Armas, 78205. It is also free to the public, Monday thru Friday, 8 am to 5 pm, through November 24, 2017.
For more information, please call 210.206.ARTS.
Sunset Picnic at Mission San Juan Farm
Enjoy a picnic-style dinner at sunset, featuring foods grown at the San Juan Farm and honoring the historical and cultural heritage of the farm. Meals can be ordered ahead of time at www.safoodbank.org from a half dozen of San Antonio’s favorite restaurants and available for pick-up at the event. Guests can enjoy hay-ride tours of the farm, mission tours, music from the USAA Jazz Ensemble, and appetizers. The 2018 signature cocktails will also be provided by the San Antonio Cocktail Conference.
The event, tours, and music begin on September 7 at 6:30 p.m. with dinners available for pick up at 7:00 p.m. Be sure to bring lawn chairs and/or picnic blankets, seating will be available by Mission San Juan. Adult meals available for $75 per person and child meals are $15 per person.
Learn more at Sunset Picnic Dinner.
Restored by Light
The Office of Historic Preservation’s popular event Restored by Light returns to Mission Concepcion with family-friendly activities and entertainment. Bring a picnic or enjoy snacks from the available food truck vendors. At dark, the facade of Mission Concepcion will be restored to its original frescoed appearance using projection technology illumination. Celebrate our local heritage with food, music, and fun!
The event is free for all and takes place on September 8 from 6-10pm. Restored by Light is located at Mission Concepcion, 807 Mission Rd, San Antonio, TX 78210.
Find out more at the official event page.
Celebratory Mass
In partnership with Las Misiones, a celebratory mass will take place in recognition of the World Heritage UNESCO designation as a World Heritage Site. Sunday Mass will be held at Nuestra Señora de la Purísma Concepción.
Mass begins on September 10 at 10am.
Additional Information
To learn more about the World Heritage Festival 2017, visit the official event website or call 210.207.2111.