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Fiesta San Antonio (or simply Fiesta) is an annual event in which the citizens of San Antonio, Texas, celebrate their city's diverse history, heritage, and culture for 10 days in April. Fiesta honors the memory of the heroes of the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto. Fiesta is the city's biggest festival. More than three million people take part in Fiesta. They can choose from 100 events that contain something to please every age range, pocketbook, and taste.
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History
Fiesta has been a tradition in the Alamo City since April 1891, when local women decorated their carriages with live flowers, met in front of the Alamo and threw the blossoms at one another—the first Battle of Flowers. Within a few years, the Battle of Flowers Parade (still one of Fiesta's most popular events) was joined by balls, coronations of local "royalty", a carnival, and many other activities.
Events
Today more than 90 local nonprofit groups, members of the Fiesta San Antonio Commission, stage 100 events over 10 days with the help of some 75,000 volunteers. Fiesta events include three major parades—two along Broadway and past the Alamo, and one on the San Antonio River's River Walk, where the floats actually "float". San Antonians and visitors can attend fancy balls, a queen's coronation, a satirical review, or a carnival. They can choose from Louisiana's cuisine at Taste of New Orleans, all kinds of oysters at the St. Mary's University Oyster Bake, or the multicultural offerings of Night in Old San Antonio (NIOSA). San Antonians also can enjoy in the coronation of King Antonio and El Rey Feo. Musical options range from Tejano to jazz to Mariachi to rock ’n’ roll to Big Band to classical to traditional radio-friendly pop. History buffs can remember the Alamo at the Pilgrimage to the Alamo or This Hallowed Ground. Sporting events include races, soccer, rugby, and lacrosse.
Battle of the Flowers Parade and Fiesta Flambeau
Battle of the Flowers Parade begins with a marathon which anyone can participate. Runners can advertise and dress how they want, for example many people wear spurs shirts and carry a mini-flag that says Go Spurs Go. After the final runner passes, time between the final runner and the real start of the parade depends on where you are, SAPD clears the way and informs the crowd that the parade is near. The Parade feature Local high school bands and other bands from across the nation and Mexico. They are many Carriages decorated in a variety of colors, some feature Companies while others show King Antonio, El Rey Feo, and other Fiesta royalty. Fiesta Flambeau is the same Parade but at the evening.
Fiesta San Antonio Commission
Overseeing this massive effort is a single nonprofit organization—the Fiesta San Antonio Commission. Only members of the Fiesta commission may claim the "official" designation during Fiesta week. The sponsoring organizations must meet the commission's criteria before receiving approval and being invited to join. The commission is governed by an all-volunteer board of community leaders and representatives from its nonprofit participating member organizations. This dedicated group works year 'round, coordinating the thousands of details and day-to-day tasks essential to plan this huge citywide event. The commission also serves as a liaison between those nonprofit members, local military activities, and the City of San Antonio. City services are essential to the conduct of Fiesta. The Fiesta Commission returns more than $1 million to the community each year.
- It gives allocations to Fiesta events that are not financially self-supporting.
- It provides bleachers for seating sales to the Battle of Flowers and Fiesta Flambeau parade associations.
- It licenses more than 100 nonprofit groups (church groups, youth groups, civic organizations) to sell street chairs along the parade routes.
- It gives scholarships to art students attending San Antonio colleges.
The commission receives no government funding. Its income comes from corporate partnerships, sales in The Fiesta Store, membership dues, and proceeds from the Fiesta Carnival.
External links
- Fiesta San Antonio Official website
- San Antonio Convention & Visitors Bureau
- San Antonio River Walk
- The Alamo
