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Fiesta San Antonio celebrates heritage, culture
Director of Partner and Community Relations with VIsit San Antonio, Richard Oliver, talks to FOX 7 Austin's Tierra Neubaum about all the things going on for the event this year.
SAN ANTONIO, Texas - The vibrant celebrations of heritage and culture are underway for Fiesta San Antonio. The event began on March 31 and runs through April 10.
Fiesta started in 1891 with a Battle of Flowers when a group of people decided to honor the heroes of the Alamo and Battle of San Jacinto. The first parade had horse-drawn carriages, bicycles decorated with fresh flowers, and floats carrying children dressed as flowers. The Belknap Rifles represented the military and participants pelted each other with blossoms.
Organizers say the Battle of Flowers was an immediate success and within a few years more events took place around the same time including a carnival, balls, and coronations of "royalty." Other early events included street dancing, children's festivals, a Trades Display Parade, and an orphans party.
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Fiesta San Antonio's Battle of Flowers Parade
The vibrant celebrations of heritage and culture are underway in San Antonio for one of the city's signature events. It started in 1891 as a way to honor heroes from Texas battles and has evolved into a city-wide party. FOX 7 Austin's Tierra Neubaum has more on one of the events.
Today, the Battle of Flowers has become the largest parade in Fiesta and it's second in size nationally only to the Tournament of Roses Parade. It's also the only one in the country to be planned and directed completely by women.
Another parade being held for Fiesta is the Texas Cavaliers River Parade. Floats go down the San Antonio River and all proceeds and donations benefit more than 70 children's charities. 1,200 service men and women, 1,200 first responders, and 800 children are invited to attend the parade for free.
For a full list of events and to purchase tickets, you can go to Fiesta San Antonio's website.
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Fiesta San Antonio's Texas Cavaliers River Parade
Parade Marshal Gardner Peavy talks to FOX 7 Austin's Tierra Neubaum about what people can expect from the parade and also Fiesta itself this year.
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