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Veronica y Avance attracted quite a following at last year's Fan Fair and will return to perform several times in 2011. One of those times will be on Saturday, March 19 from 7-7:45 p.m. on the Bud Light stage. (Photo by Albert Villegas)

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A lot has happened for Veronica y Avance since they last played at the Tejano Music Awards’ Fan Fair at Market Square in downtown San Antonio last year.

They won TMA awards for Best New Female Artist and Best New Group and they plan on returning the favor by performing once again at the Fan Fair, which is scheduled to be held Friday, March 19 through Sunday, March 21.

Jaime Deanda, left, of Jaime y Los Chamacos, sings with Javier Hinojosa of Texas Legend at Fan Fair 2010. Los Chamacos are set to play Friday, March 18 (9:30-10:30 pm) on San Saba north stage. Texas Legend plays Saturday (3:45-4:15 pm) on San Saba north. (Photo by: Albert Villegas)

The group mentions the fact it will be at the event several times on its Facebook page, including an entry that reads, “If you like Tejano Music Awards and Tejano Music Awards Fan Fair . . . you should like Veronica y Avance . . . just saying ’cause we are #winning.”

In 2010, was a crowd favorite, in one performance shown in purple-clad colors. Members hung around afterwards to sign autographs and have photos taken with fans.

Cinco Doce returns with its high energy act. Catch them on Sat., March 19, (2:15-2:45 pm), Bud Light stage. (Photo by Albert Villegas)

“We are super pumped for this year’s (Fan Fair); we hope to see all of you out there and supporting us and all the other bands that are dedicating their time to share Tejano music with you,” the group said in another Facebook entry.

Veronica y Avance is just one of many artists planning to perform.

There will be six different stages, including the San Saba north stage and the San Saba south stage. The mariachi stage and concho stage are divided by autograph alley, which will be located next to La Margarita restaurant.

Jenny Albarez, of Michigan, returns to Fan Fair and will perform several times, including Saturday, March 19 (noon), museum stage. (Photo by Albert Villegas)

Stefani Montiel performs at last year's Fan Fair. She is scheduled to take the Bud Light stage on Saturday, March 19 from 7-7:45 p.m. (Photo by Albert Villegas)

Then there are the museum stage, concho stage and Bud Light stage.

According to TMA, there will be an opening ceremony to kickoff Fan Fair followed by artists who are scheduled to perform around noon. They include Josey Contreras (San Saba north stage), La Tejanita Marisa Cortez (San Saba main stage), Beatriz (mariachi stage), ETAPA (museum stage), Gina Mijares (concho stage).

Among some of the big acts to play on Friday are Chente Barrera (8:30-9:15 p.m.) and Jaime y Los Chamacos (9:30-10:30 p.m.) on the San Saba north stage, Los Aguilares (8:30-9 p.m.) and Ricardo Castillon (9:15-10:15 p.m.) on the Bud Light stage.

For more information on the performers and the times they will be playing, visit http://www.tejanomusicawards.com/fan-fair/fan-fair-performers.

Candace Vargas performs at the 2010 Tejano Music Awards' Fan Fair in downtown San Antonio. (Photo by Albert Villegas)

If it’s not enough just to watch your favorite Tejano music artist perform during the annual Tejano Music Awards’ Fan Fair in Market Square in downtown San Antonio, you are in luck this weekend. Fan Fair brings artists and fans together so fans get the chance for an autograph, a photo or just a chance to say hi to a favorite performer.

Entertainers such as Michael Salgado, Sunny Sauceda, Ruben Ramos and Los Chamacos, just to name a few, will be among the artists you can meet during various Fan Fair autograph sessions from Friday, March 18 through Sunday, March 20, according to the TTMA. Eight tables will be set up and artists will be allotted one hour each to get close and personal with their fans.

LariZa, one of the returning artists, said through her Facebook page, she is looking forward to her time in San Antonio. (LariZa is sitting in the middle in the photo above by Albert Villegas during last year’s festivities.)

“It’s Fan Fair time and I will be performing live on Sunday, March 20. Getting ready to put on a great show, and I would love to meet you,” LariZa said.

She will be signing autographs on March 19-20.

Ilyssa Saenz, who works through Abraham Quintanilla’s Q Productions, based in Corpus Christi, will also be signing autographs. Last year, she made a big splash days after winning TeleFutura’s Buscando a la Doble de Selena competition. The Hebbronville native signed autographs and took pics with fans. (Saenz is photographed at left with Mr. Quintanilla before last year’s Tejano Music Awards Show.)

Saenz will be performing but for two days on Friday and Saturday.

“There are going to be so many talented acts, it’s going to be a blast,” Saenz said.

Times and the slots for the other artists who will sign autographs is listed on the TMA Fan Fair’s official web site http://www.tejanoentertainment.net/fanfair.

The Fan Fair draws an estimated 85,000 fans so you can count on the artists to ready their fingers for the autograph session, too.
Among some of the other artists who are scheduled to perform during the three-day Fan Fair are Raulito Navaira, Jimmy Gonzalez y Mazz, Jay Perez, and Stefani Montiel.

The rising stars and new generation of Tejano music includes Veronica y Avance, Sonidos del Barrio, Natajja, Jorge Moreno, Los Matadors, and Monica Castro, all who will also be showcased.

Officials, however, do say that autograph session schedules are subject to change without notice.