History of Fiesta Especial
RIVER CITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
Fiesta Especial was created by students at River City Christian School (RCCS) in 2003 and became an official Fiesta event in 2006. Until 2009, Fiesta Especial was held at the RCCS campus on Blanco Road. Due to the growth of Fiesta Especial (7,000 attendees in 2008) and the amount of time and resources needed to organize and fund the event, RCCS did not hold Fiesta Especial in 2010.
REACHING MAXIMUM INDEPENDENCE, INC.
In 2011, disABILITYsa under the umbrella of Reaching Maximum Independence, Inc. took on the leadership role to bring Fiesta Especial back to life, hosting the event at Morgan's Wonderland, Rackspace, and the New Creations Christian Fellowship. By 2013, RMI became the official Partner Member Organization inherited the programs from the school. Supported by a close relationship with the City of Windcrest, disABILITYsa/RMI worked to increase the outreach of Fiesta Especial by adding on the Royal Court, Competitive 5K and a Parade to the carnival experience.
DISABILITYSA
In June of 2017, the operations for the Fiesta Especial programs were moved over to disABILITYsa, which now serves as the official Partner Member Organization (PMO) sanctioned by the Fiesta San Antonio Commission to operate Fiesta Especial. disABILITYsa has continued to grow the programs, emphasizing the inclusiveness of the 5K, community engagement for the parade, and the visibility for the royal court programs.
disABILITYsa held the final Inclusion 5K & Parade in April, 2024; but continues to operate the Fiesta Especial Celebration Day and Royal Court Leadership programs. The Fiesta Especial® name is owned by Fiesta® San Antonio which legally permits use by disABILITYsa in perpetuity.
Fiesta Especial was created by students at River City Christian School (RCCS) in 2003 and became an official Fiesta event in 2006. Until 2009, Fiesta Especial was held at the RCCS campus on Blanco Road. Due to the growth of Fiesta Especial (7,000 attendees in 2008) and the amount of time and resources needed to organize and fund the event, RCCS did not hold Fiesta Especial in 2010.
REACHING MAXIMUM INDEPENDENCE, INC.
In 2011, disABILITYsa under the umbrella of Reaching Maximum Independence, Inc. took on the leadership role to bring Fiesta Especial back to life, hosting the event at Morgan's Wonderland, Rackspace, and the New Creations Christian Fellowship. By 2013, RMI became the official Partner Member Organization inherited the programs from the school. Supported by a close relationship with the City of Windcrest, disABILITYsa/RMI worked to increase the outreach of Fiesta Especial by adding on the Royal Court, Competitive 5K and a Parade to the carnival experience.
DISABILITYSA
In June of 2017, the operations for the Fiesta Especial programs were moved over to disABILITYsa, which now serves as the official Partner Member Organization (PMO) sanctioned by the Fiesta San Antonio Commission to operate Fiesta Especial. disABILITYsa has continued to grow the programs, emphasizing the inclusiveness of the 5K, community engagement for the parade, and the visibility for the royal court programs.
disABILITYsa held the final Inclusion 5K & Parade in April, 2024; but continues to operate the Fiesta Especial Celebration Day and Royal Court Leadership programs. The Fiesta Especial® name is owned by Fiesta® San Antonio which legally permits use by disABILITYsa in perpetuity.
2017-PRESENT
|
2011-2017
|
2003-2009
|
disABILITYsa updated the Fiesta Especial logo in 2022 to better reflect the growth and maturity of the program, as well as the broader, more modern understanding of disability inclusion. The original design was fun and recognizable, but it centered heavily on a single image and era-specific style that no longer matched the scale, professionalism, and diversity of the current initiative.
The new design also allows disABILITYsa to visually communicate that Fiesta Especial celebrates many different disability experiences, rather than one narrow representation. By incorporating multiple icons and a papel picado theme, the logo connects more directly to San Antonio’s Fiesta culture while emphasizing inclusion, dignity, and participation for people with all types of disabilities. This rebrand helps align the visual identity of Fiesta Especial with the program’s mission today and supports stronger recognition and engagement among community partners, sponsors, and participants.
The new design also allows disABILITYsa to visually communicate that Fiesta Especial celebrates many different disability experiences, rather than one narrow representation. By incorporating multiple icons and a papel picado theme, the logo connects more directly to San Antonio’s Fiesta culture while emphasizing inclusion, dignity, and participation for people with all types of disabilities. This rebrand helps align the visual identity of Fiesta Especial with the program’s mission today and supports stronger recognition and engagement among community partners, sponsors, and participants.
2022 - PRESENT
|
2003 - 2021
|
Leadership
|
Year
|
Program
Director |
PMO Commissioner
|
PMO President
|
Fiesta® Elected Commissioner
|
Fiesta® Board of Directors
|
|
2011
|
Cynthia Hamilton
|
Unknown
|
Unknown
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
|
2012
|
Melanie Cawthon
|
Melanie Cawthon
|
Pamela Kelly
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
|
2013
|
Melanie Cawthon
|
Melanie Cawthon
|
Pamela Kelly
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
|
2014
|
Melanie Cawthon
|
Melanie Cawthon
|
Pamela Kelly
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
|
2015
|
Melanie Cawthon
|
Sandy Liwang
|
Pamela Kelly
|
Melanie Cawthon
|
N/A
|
|
2016
|
Melanie Cawthon
|
Sandy Liwang
|
Pamela Kelly
|
Melanie Cawthon
|
N/A
|
|
2017
|
Melanie Cawthon
|
Sandy Liwang
|
Pamela Kelly
|
Melanie Cawthon
|
N/A
|
|
2018
|
Melanie Cawthon
|
Sandy Liwang
|
Melanie Cawthon
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
|
2019
|
Melanie Cawthon
|
Sandy Liwang
|
Melanie Cawthon
|
N/A
|
|
2020
|
Melanie Cawthon
|
Sandy Liwang
|
Melanie Cawthon
|
N/A
|
|
2021
|
Melanie Cawthon
|
Sandy Liwang
|
Melanie Cawthon
|
N/A
|
|
2022
|
Melanie Cawthon
|
Sandy Liwang
|
Melanie Cawthon
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
|
2023
|
Melanie Cawthon
|
Sandy Liwang
|
Melanie Cawthon
|
N/A
|
Melanie Cawthon
|
|
2024
|
Matthew Lugo
|
Sandy Liwang
|
Tom Shute
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
|
2025
|
Britney Trevino
|
Tom Shute
|
Jacquelyn Martinez
|
Sandy Liwang
|
N/A
|
|
2026
|
Juan Cano
|
Tom Shute
|
Jacquelyn Martinez
|
Sandy Liwang
|
Melanie Cawthon
|
