Thursday is the annual Dos Equis Pachanga del Rio - or "Taste of the River Walk", and, you guessed it, it is all about the river and all about eating. That's a win-win in my book.

Twenty-four River Walk restaurants are participating in this year's pachanga, or 'party', so you can sample all sorts of yummy fare. The menu samples are touted as the 'best of the best' along the San Antonio River Walk. Marcia Hernandez, Paseo del Rio's Project Director, recommends that you pace yourself.
That's good advice when you consider that the kick-off party starts at 5p.m. at the Rivercenter Mall Lagoon, then you eat and drink, and party again at the Buckhorn Saloon and Museum.
You won't want to miss that Post-Party at the Buckhorn. There will be raffle drawings and live music performed by San Antonio's Court Jesters ( a rockin' band composed of area lawyers and judges).
Tickets ($30) are available by phone (210-227-4262) or, you can buy them at the Paseo del Rio Rivercenter Mall booth near the Lagoon at 4pm Thursday.

The lineup goes like this:

5 p.m. - The Kickoff party at the Lagoon begins, featuring Focus Group, a band from Austin
6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. - PACHANGA! your way down the river
8:45 p.m. to 11 p.m. - The Post-Party at the Buckhorn

The Paseo del Rio Association is a non-profit organization. The proceeds for this event go to pay for the 16 free events the organization sponsors throughout the year, including the Holiday River Parade. (By the way, check out their website for dowtown discount coupons - yeah!)

I forgot to mention Marcia's other recommendation, which was 'try not to fall in the river' - ALWAYS a good idea, don't you think?

(AP Photo / Eric Gay)