World Heritage Festival Celebrates San Antonio Missions

San Antonio marked the 11th anniversary of the San Antonio Missions’ World Heritage Site designation with the 11th Annual World Heritage Festival, held Sept. 9-13.

The five-day festival featured family-friendly activities, educational programs and entertainment focused on the history and culture of San Antonio’s community. The San Antonio Missions are Texas’ only UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Events began at the World Heritage Center with a daytime program about Mission ranches, including Rancho de las Cabras, followed by an evening discussion and book signing with former U.S. Ambassador Ken Salazar. The discussion explored the San Antonio Missions and connections between the United States and Mexico featured in Salazar’s book, “Borderlands.”

The festival also included a staged reading of scenes from Federico Garcia Lorca’s “The House of Bernarda Alba.” The event was hosted in partnership with City Council District 3 and Arts in Play.

Other activities included National Park Service events, Mission Day at the Alamo and Tour de Las Misiones on Sept. 12 at Mission County Park. The event offered a bike ride with stops at the missions, along with 5K and 10K walks through the Mission Reach and Mission San José. A post-ride celebration included food, music and family activities.

The festival concluded with a Care for Creation Mass and Pilgrimage at Mission Espada. It also coincided with OWHC Day on Sept. 8, an observance that brings together cities worldwide to celebrate, protect and promote cultural heritage.

The World Heritage Festival is presented by the City of San Antonio World Heritage Office in collaboration with Bexar County, the San Antonio River Authority, The Alamo, Las Misiones, San Antonio Missions National Historical Park and various City departments.

More information is available at WorldHeritageFestival.org.