Message from the chair
"One barrel of oysters, one keg of beer, charcoal and the Fourth Illinois Band from Camp Wilson, Texas."
Ninety -five years ago this was the inventory list and
entertainment needed to host the first Oyster Bake on
the grounds of St. Mary's College (near the banks of the
San Antonio River and currently the site of the Omni La
Mansion del Rio Hotel). It was a time for St. Mary's
Alumni and the Marianists to reunite and share a few
laughs.
Today at the current campus of St. Mary's University, more than 35 entertainers perform at the Fiesta Oyster Bake, and more than 7,000 volunteers sell 100,000 oysters (baked, raw and fried), 21,000 gallons of beverages (beer, soda, water, aguas frescas, etc.) and use 14,000 lbs of charcoal. Plus, they sell more than 25,000 Chicken on a Stick orders, 6,000 Turkey Legs, 3,000 lbs of Beef and Chicken Fajitas and many, many more favorite items.
The Fiesta Oyster Bake is about having a good time with friends and family, but more importantly, it is about raising money for St. Mary's University student scholarships and university and alumni programs. For example, during the past fifteen years, Fiesta Oyster Bake has helped the Alumni Association fund more than $6 million in student scholarships and university and alumni programs. Also, because of the Bake, St. Mary's University student organizations have raised nearly $700,000 for their programs.
I'm humbled and honored to be a part of this wonderful event/organization that is so rich in history and so generous in giving back to the St. Mary's University community. The Fiesta Oyster Bake Committee has been working very hard since June to make this 95th Anniversary of Fiesta Oyster Bake a huge success and better than ever before.
With the dedication of the Fiesta Oyster Bake Committee, Mary Almanza, Chris Boone, Jeanne Champion, Steve Dziuk, Alfred Lopez, Chris Martinez, Mike Martinez, Dr. Robert Mason, Helen Nicholson, Tony Rivera, Darrell Stewart, and the Alumni Staff, my job as Chairman has been very easy.
Because of the committee, 7,000 plus volunteers, many corporate sponsors, including Miller Lite, support of the University and Neighborhood communities and hard working members of the University Police and Physical Plant Department, we are able to host a great party for the 60,000+ people that attend Fiesta Oyster Bake.
This year we are adding some new features to Oyster Bake:
- A 2-day admission ticket, for $30, will be available at all Texas H-E-B stores for those wishing to take advantage of a great deal for food & fun
- Shuckie's Sports Bar, presented by Miller Lite, will be located in our Sponsorship Village Area (Alumni Gym site) featuring covered seating, 4 large TV screens to view all your favorite sports programming and additional beer booths to help quench your thirst.
- Fried Cheesecake and Fried Corn Nuggets, two new amazing food items, have been added to our mouth watering food selections
- Great entertainment on both days featuring some of the most popular national, regional and local acts will rock the Bake all for one great price
Even though the size of the event has grown tremendously since it started in 1916, the purpose has always remained the same: celebrate life & friendships, share some laughs and welcome everyone to the St. Mary's University campus to help raise money for a great cause.
I look forward to seeing everyone on April 8 & 9 when St. Mary's University and Oyster Bake are once again, The Heartbeat of Fiesta!
Sincerely,Jason Longoria
2011 Fiesta Oyster Bake Chairman
Celebrating 95 Years of Oyster Bake
