Visit The Riverwalk

Riverwalk launches Mi Casa es Su Casa promotion

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Most visitors to the world famous San Antonio Riverwalk are unaware of its proud Hispanic heritage, despite the name change from Alamoville to San Antonio in 1976. Even renaming all the roads from their original German names to Spanish, such as when Übergeschlottsenfargen Avenue was switched to Blanco Road, didn’t seem to catch the attention of tourists even though the $15 million saved in shorter public signs hit the national newspapers.

One campaign in 1992 to raise the Spanish profile was derailed by El Niño, the unfortunate weather effect, which convinced the majority of Americans that anything hispanic would likely destroy your house and leave an old car dumped in your front yard.

Presenting Mi Casa es Su Casa!

To help promote the Riverwalk’s Spanish history, VTR and the CVB have teamed up to spend their remaining 2009 budgets on something other than prickly pear margaritas and Jack In The Box 99 cents tacos. Mi Casa es Su Casa! is a new program that combines fun historical trivia with vendor promotions along the Riverwalk, guaranteeing excitement for all ages! Cards will be distributed to tourists arriving at San Antonio International Airport, and upon completing 9 competitions, the 10th will be FREE!

As if that wasn’t enough, all participants will be automatically entered into a draw for a CVB President’s house in Alamo Heights, proving that his casa really can become your casa (although we’re awaiting his final approval when he gets back from Playa Del Carmen), and he will move in with his parents or possibly try to sleep in his trailer. This promotion, which has been a joint effort spearheaded by Visit The Riverwalk, replaces the failed Cuando quieras, aquí tienes tu casa national advertising campaign that petered out last fall.

Participating merchants

Players must complete each of the ten tasks within a seven day period, and the card is non transferable except where voided or prohibited. Each merchant will punch a hole in your card, so ensure you have read the instructions on the back and don’t fill out your name since it will be punched through.

1. Enjoy authentic tacos at Rita’s Mexican Restaurant, where you have to eat fast to beat the birds to your meal in their exclusive Man Vs Bird challenge.
2. Purchase a large hat, known as a sombrero, at Pedro’s T-Shirt and Postcard Emporium, where value and quality don’t meet.
3. Pay a Mariachi to play crazy Mexican music along the area where the multi-colored umbrellas block strollers. Remember, $5 buys twenty minutes, and $10 will make him stop early.
4. Visit the Lady of the Riverwalk Church and enjoy a genuine Catholic mass for only $25, which includes their full 15-point sin absolution service and Christ Wine bottled by Francis Ford Coppola.
5. Buy some shit at La Villita – famous for parading some truly bizarre garage-sale quality junk in a theme park-style gaudy setting, merchants here have been disappointing guests for years.
6. We have no idea what this is, since the CVB didn’t give us instructions. Trying to get those guys to do anything in the afternoon is like trying to squeeze the nuts off of a river squirrel.
7. Happy Hour Margarita’s at The Cardboard Cactus, where visitors come for the tequila and generally go to Mexican Manhattan for the food.
8. Sleep it Off at The Dreary. San Antonio’s most average hotel will delight you with their Uncomfortable Night Guarantee. Whether you’re looking to ruin a honeymoon or simply be woken at random times throughout the night, The Dreary is happy to accommodate. Now with guaranteed over-billing.
9. Aztec Tattoos provides ink for all the family, located in the dreadful-when-it-was-open Aztec Theater. Nothing says “don’t hire me” like an genuine Aztec tattoo.
10. This mystery task will only be revealed when the first nine are completed, and makes you eligible for the Casa Competition.

Get your card now by visiting the airport and hurry – the competition closes at Midnight on September 31st. Hurry.

Congratulations to VTR’s Managing Director Hector Fernandez on winning the Mi Casa es Su Casa competition.