Set in San Antonio, 'Miss Congeniality' hits mark with April 25 as perfect date

It seems Miss Rhode Island was on to something when she described April 25 as her idea of the “perfect date.”

Actress Heather Burns, playing beauty queen hopeful Cheryl Frasier — aka Miss Rhode Island — in the 2000 San Antonio-set film “Miss Congeniality,” proclaimed April 25 as perfect because “it’s not too hot, not too cold.”

“All you need is a light jacket,” she sweetly replies to the pageant emcee’s question during the Miss United States beauty pageant, seemingly oblivious to what he really was asking.

Though the naïve contestant’s answer misses the mark, it might not be wrong.

“April 25 typically is a good day,” said Anthony Franze, newsroom meteorologist at the San Antonio Express-News. 

The average high temperature on that date in San Antonio is 82 degrees and the average low temperature is 61 degrees, he said. Describing it as part of the city’s transitional season, Franze said April 25 usually doesn’t see any strong cold fronts or excessive heat waves.

That’s good news for Fiesta revelers, as part of the annual city-wide party has fallen on April 25 as far back as anyone can remember. So, for those who love the food, drink and fun of Fiesta, April 25 probably is a perfect date, too.

San Antonio Spurs fans likely would agree.

April 25 is the day NBA great Tim Duncan was born. What true Spurs fan wouldn’t celebrate the Hall of Fame power forward’s birthday?

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For 22 consecutive seasons, the Spurs competed in the NBA playoffs. That means for more than two decades the start of the playoffs coincided with the start of Fiesta. 

San Antonio in late April — namely April 25 — historically has been a city decorated in Fiesta confetti and floral wreaths mixed with the team’s signature silver and black. Saying that time was “perfect” probably wouldn’t get much of an argument from Fiesta lovers and Spurs fans.

Besides more recent happenings, some notable events that happened locally on April 25 include the 1831 wedding of Alamo defender James Bowie to Ursula Veramendi at San Fernando Cathedral, according to San Antonio Public Library archives. 

Also on that date in 1955, the city of San Antonio began administering the first Salk polio vaccine injections at seven city, county and military centers, library archives show.

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While what makes a “perfect date” is a matter of personal preference, regardless of whether it’s referencing a day on the calendar or a social outing, in recent years April 25 has been recognized as the perfect date on social media. 

Fans of the Sandra Bullock-led film, and in particular of the iconic movie scene that was filmed at the Arneson River Theater, wish everyone a “perfect date.” Some remind people to get their “light jacket” before they head out the door.

In 2022, actress Heather Burns, who delivered the notable line, sent her followers a message on Instagram:  “Wishing everyone love, light, and a PERFECT DATE!”

Other stars of the film, including William Shatner, who asked Miss Rhode Island the iconic question, have used the #PerfectDateDay hashtag in various posts on April 25.

The local forecast for April 25 this year calls for slightly above average temperatures with highs in the mid-80s and lows in the 70s, Franze said. It’s expected to be a little humid, and slight rain chances are in the forecast, he added.

A light jacket might be just the perfect accessory.