SAN ANTONIO – Fiesta 2018 officially begins on Thursday, promising music, food, flowers and a whole lot of partying.

The 127th annual festival will have the city celebrating for the next 11 days at the Historic Market Square. Festivities include a carnival, art gallery exhibits, flower show, Oyster Bake, masquerade, a 5K run and a parade.

Fiesta Fiesta at Hemisfair Park will get the 11-day party rolling on Thursday with live entertainment. Then, later in the afternoon, San Antonians have the chance to meet the official Fiesta royalty.

New this year is Tastes of the Republic; an exclusive culinary event, which offer all foodies a taste from the six regions of Texas, prepared by 12 Texas chefs.

Organizers are also planning to make this year’s Fiesta River Parade bigger and better than ever to honor the city’s Tricentennial.

"It takes about 12,000 man hours to put on this parade and they're all 100 percent volunteer hours," said Clyde Johnson, Parade Marshal for the Texas Cavaliers Fiesta River Parades. "They have invested over $60,000 in LED lights."