Press Release

Christmas Along the Corridor Grand Finale and Fair

San Antonio, November 4, 2004 – The Alamo Area Council of Governments and the Alamo-La Bahia Corridor Committee invite the public to the 16^th annual Christmas Along the Corridor Grand Finale and Fair on Saturday, December 4, 2004, at MacArthur Field, Fort Sam Houston, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Christmas Along the Corridor is a 150-mile celebration of history, heritage, and the holidays as 120 Pony Express Christmas Couriers carry proclamations to the communities in the seven counties (Atascosa, Bexar, Comal, Goliad, Guadalupe, Karnes, Wilson) of the Alamo-La Bahia Corridor and other segments of the Camino Real de los Tejas to San Antonio.

Special Pony Express cancellations will be available at temporary postal stations in Cestohowa, Goliad, Hobson, Falls City, Poth, Floresville, Pleasanton, Runge, Helena, Panna Maria, Schertz, Stockdale, Seguin, Sutherland Springs, Adkins, La Vernia, Elmendorf, and San Antonio.  Visit www.aacog.com/tourism to find out what activities are planned in the different communities.

The Pony Express Courier Run Grand Finale presentation begins at 2:00 p.m. and includes:

• Escaramuza Rosas de Castilla and Guadalupe County Sheriff’s Mounted Posse
• 36^th Infantry Division Band of the Texas National Guard
• Fort Sam Houston Honor Guard
• City of San Antonio Parks and Recreation’s Dance Troupe, Fandango
• Bexar County Buffalo Soldiers and a black powder volley by the Granaderos de Galvez
• The Cadence Cloggers
• Six Flags of Texas posted on Horseback by Connections Living History Association
• A truly spectacular delivery of the Texas Governor’s Holiday Message for San Antonio by 120 Pony Express Riders and their spirited steeds as the National Guard Band plays “cavalry traveling music”

Additional Features and Displays:

• Temporary U.S. Postal Station with special Pony Express Postmarks
• The UTSA Anthropology Department and Center for Archaeological Research
• “Go Texan” vendors with food, craft, activity, and information booths
• Native American music, dance and displays
• Living History and Vintage Car Displays, and Artists from the Coppini Academy of Fine Arts
• Ft. Sam Elementary and TexasTejano.com
• Ft. Sam Houston Military Caisson and Selma Stage Stop
• Pony Rides for Kids by Ft. Sam Houston Stables - $3
• Ft. Sam Houston Holiday Garage Sale

Entrance to all Christmas Along the Corridor activities is free and open to the public.  Enter Fort Sam Houston via Walters Gate off I-35 (picture ID required).  For more information and an up-to-date schedule of events, please visit AACOG's web site at www.aacog.com.