For more than 56 years, the River Walk has transformed into a floating music venue during Fiesta, celebrating the culture, artistry, and tradition of mariachi and folklórico. Throughout the downtown portion of the river, we host mariachi and folklórico groups of all ages and levels, giving students, schools, and community organizations the chance to perform in the heart of the city. For many directors, this is an event they prepare for all season, and it has become one of the most meaningful performance opportunities of the year.

The festival spans two days and features three rounds of barges, each with four performances. It is a coordination-heavy event that begins with early and intentional communication with directors. They secure their performance time through a reservation link that I release publicly at a specific time because demand is extremely high. Once directors book their slot, I follow up with confirmations, guidelines, safety reminders, and performance details. Each barge is limited to fewer than twelve performers to ensure safety, balance, and smooth movement along the river.

For groups performing on the stage near Rivercenter Mall, I connect their mariachi and folklórico instructors to collaborate on how their sets will harmonize together. Watching their combined performance come to life is always one of the most beautiful moments of Fiesta.

This event has become one of my favorites and was the first major program I streamlined. Before transitioning to a digital system, all reservations were submitted by email, which became difficult to track during the busy season. I built the first online booking process through a dedicated webpage, and all waivers are now handled digitally through Jotform, allowing parents and directors to complete everything seamlessly before arriving at check-in/boarding. The new process has created clarity, efficiency, and a smoother experience for every performer and family involved.