Facing financial pressures and space constraints, the San Antonio Conservation Society revealed in a Wednesday Instagram post that it’s pausing A Night in Old San Antonio (NIOSA), one of Fiesta San Antonio’s most popular events.
“NIOSA is a beloved tradition, and this decision was not made lightly,” the group said in its post. “We are taking this time to pause and re-evaluate how we can deliver the best possible experience for our organization, community, volunteers and partners who have made this event possible year after year.”
NIOSA, a food-focused festival that takes place in downtown’s historic La Villita area, is the Conservation Society’s largest fundraiser. It’s pulled in millions of dollars over a seven-decade history to fund preservation projects across the city.
However, organization officials last month revealed they would undertake a “reset” for NIOSA after losing access to two significant areas inside La Villita due to construction there. The loss of Villita Assembly Hall and Maverick Plaza meant 43% reduction in space for the event, Conservation Society President Betty Bueché told KSAT.
“There is a financial situation,” Bueché told the TV station last month. “We need to retool this so that we can make sure that we have proceeds. We’re being very cautious about this.”
The Conversation Society also laid off two staff members, including one of NIOSA’s full-time managers, leaving it with just three employees.
This is developing story and will be updated.
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