Scott Christy Honored to Represent the Texas Cavaliers as King Antonio CI
For King Antonio CI, Scott Christy, the pomp that comes with the position is fun, but it’s the work the Texas Cavaliers do to support children that reigns supreme.
By Bruce X. Forey | Photography by David Teran
April is Fiesta time in San Antonio. The annual celebration comes with many fun and colorful traditions. One that supports our brand of Fiesta royalty are the events hosted by the Texas Cavaliers. Synonymous with the Cavaliers are the River Parade and King Antonio. This year, 78209 resident Scott Christy reigns as King Antonio CI – King 101 for those not good with Roman numerals.
“It’s humbling because there are so many Cavaliers who have come before me, and I have a role during Fiesta that’s important to the city and to the children of San Antonio,” Scott said.
Representing the Cavaliers as King Antonio for two weeks during Fiesta is a carefully planned and coordinated series of events. Scott manages to fulfill his numerous royal duties while serving as president for Triangle Reproductions – a specialty printing business in San Antonio. Once Fiesta begins, it’s a very busy itinerary that starts in the morning and doesn’t stop till late at night.
“We visit schools, retirement communities, charities, civic organizations, hospitals, and more,” said Scott. “We squeeze in a quick lunch, but we’re moving from place to place.”
To stay on schedule, King Antonio is supported by three aides (lifelong friends and 78209 residents Casey Fry, Pete Mclaughlin, and David Mauze’). They are escorted around town by two off-duty San Antonio police motorcycle officers.
One of Scott’s favorite stops is visiting schools – 50 to 60 are planned this year. Seeing the students’ excitement when King Antonio and his entourage enter their gym or auditorium is a thrill.
“We stand out. We wear these bright blue suits, and I’ve got a giant red feather plume on top of my hat. When they see us, they realize it’s Fiesta in San Antonio,” Scott added. “We give them a King Antonio medal, leave a book for their school library, do a skit to keep them entertained, and leave them with a positive message.”
King Antonio, as the face for the Texas Cavaliers, could be one of the most underappreciated public relations strategies of all time. The excitement, attention, and media coverage King Antonio commands is like P.R. gold. But it’s the collective work of the 600-plus member Cavaliers that leaves an impact long, far beyond.
With the river parade as their primary fundraiser, since its inception in 1989, the Texas Cavaliers Charitable Foundation has contributed over $18 million dollars to children focused causes. This year, the Foundation plans to donate $8.5 million dollars. Approximately $7.5 million dollars is earmarked for the construction of the Texas Cavaliers Education Center, which is part of a master renovation project surrounding the Alamo. Construction begins in November 2024, and when completed in 2026, the Center will be the first experience for thousands of visitors, including 250,000 schoolchildren annually, when visiting the Alamo.
“The Texas Cavaliers Education Center will help give children the context they need when they embark upon a visit at the shrine of Texas liberty, and that’s something our whole organization is very proud of.”
Sixty-two nonprofits will share in additional one million dollars the Cavaliers will donate this year in the form of grants.
“This is why we do what we do,” Scott reflected. “It’s why we spend hundreds of man-hours planning and hosting the river parade. It’s to raise money to help the children of our communities.”
This year’s river parade is on Monday, April 22, 2024. Learn more and purchase tickets at www.texascavaliers.org.
