Fiesta San Antonio

"Fiesta San Antonio" (or simply "Fiesta") is a spring festival with is origins begun in the late 1800's. A festival begun as a single carnival event in which the citizens of San Antonio, Texas, celebrate and honor the memory of all the heroes of the Texas Revolution, especially the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto , the turn around battle of the 1836 revolution. Fiesta was formalised in 1891 by the Battle of Flowers Parade organization and continues in this vain.

According to www.fiesta-sa.org, Fiesta is the city's biggest festival. More than three million people take part in Fiesta, and they can choose from over 100 events that contain something to please every age range, pocketbook, and taste.Fact|date=December 2007

History

Fiesta has been a tradition in the Alamo City since before 1891,when citizens wanted a special celebration to commerate the anniversary of the fall of the Alamo, and honor the fallen soldiers of San Jancinto. In 1891 prominent local women decorated carriages, bicycles with live flowers, met in front of the Alamo and threw the blossoms at one another,thus, creating the first "Battle of Flowers". The Battle of Flowers Parade Association began crowning San Antonio ladies 'Queen' in 1896. The Battle's parade queen changed over to become Queen of the Order of the Alamo and by 1909 with a Princess and 12 in town and 12 out of town Dutches. Coronations of local "royalty", a carnival(already established), and many other activities became the fore runers of todays Fiesta, 'just a little bigger'. Now we have more royalty than old Russia.Just listen for the jingle of medals on sashes...

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". An array of Fiesta Medals in every color of the rainbow, the established Fiesta token/party favor, can be obtained from the various dignataries or the many Fiesta royals if you incounter one. San Antonians and visitors can attend fancy balls. The queen of the Order of the Alamo's coronation is a must see. A satirical review of the more majestic one is called(Cornyation, for adults only). 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 a four day block party called(NIOSA). San Antonians and visitors alike can enjoy in the coronation of King Antonio and El Rey Feo, and view the wismical virsions of King Anchovy, the unique stylings of the Fiesta Hat King and a Queen of the Piniatas. Plus seven other festive and regal Fiesta royals.

Musical options range from Tejano to jazz to Mariachi to Rock 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

The Battle of Flowers Parade is the oldest event and largest parade of Fiesta® San Antonio attracting crowds of more than 350,000. It is the only parade in the United States produced entirely by women, all of whom are volunteers. These ladies, dressed on Parade day in yellow and wearing yellow hats, direct operations with the valued assistance of the Texas Army National Guard.

Fiesta Flambeau happens when the sun goes down and the parade is illuminated by thousands of lights on the floats, dancers, horses, cars, and bands, becoming a parade of light and fun for all throughout the streets of San Antonio.

Fiesta San Antonio Commission

Overseeing this massive effort is a single nonprofit organization—the Fiesta San Antonio Commission. 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.Fact|date=December 2007

*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.

Trivia

During Fiesta 2003, an event at Sunset Station called "New Semana Alegre" was sponsored by Budweiser beer. The lineup included Blue Öyster Cult, Mark Farner and the reunited Heyoka. Also, Los Lobos played at Gruene Hall.

Past Relations

It has been described as the fourth of July of San Antonio.

External links

* [http://www.fiesta-sa.org Fiesta San Antonio] Official website
* [http://www.lib.utexas.edu/taro/utsa/00061/utsa-00061.html Guide to the Fiesta San Antonio Commission Records] at the University of Texas at San Antonio Archives
* [http://www.sanantoniocvb.com San Antonio Convention & Visitors Bureau]
* [http://thesanantonioriverwalk.com San Antonio River Walk]
* [http://www.thealamo.org The Alamo]