Fiesta: The Oldest and Wackiest Party in the Alamo City
In 1891 citizens of San Antonio put together an event to honor the heroes of the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto. This celebration included the first Battle of Flowers. Horse drawn carriages, bicycles and floats were covered and decorated with flowers to honor the fallen fighters of the battle just a few decades before. After this first parade a tradition was born that only was halted during the two World Wars in 1918 and 1942-1945. The Battle of Flowers Parade has always been planned and coordinated by women and is the second largest parade in the United States.
Fiesta Royalty has been a tradition since 1909 when the Order of the Alamo was founded, and this organization gets together every year to choose the Queen of Fiesta and her court. Many people try to guess the value of the Queen’s and court’s dresses which are extravagant and elegant. The Texas Cavaliers who pick King Antonio each year introduce His Highness at the River Parade. The River Parade features floating floats that drift along the River Walk and people come from all over to line the River Walk and take in the King and his court. In 1947 El Rey Feo was introduced as the king of the people. He and King Antonio do community outreach throughout the year as well as holding court at Fiesta.
A Night in Old San Antonio started in 1948 and is held by the San Antonio Conservation Society who work to preserve and save historical buildings and cultural heritage of San Antonio. Held at the La Villita Arts Village, A Night in Old San Antonio features food, music, and feature different cultural districts serving cuisine from regions around the world.
Each year, the events at Fiesta will have commemorative pins some outrageous, others elegant and demure. Blend in with the locals and wear a sash with pins from past years or different events.
A newer tradition is the Fiesta Soccer Tournament. People from all over Texas and the Unites States come to play each year in San Antonio. The tournament raises money to sponsor college and high school soccer teams and offers scholarships for league members. One of the teams playing has been competing since the first tournament 43 years ago.
Fiesta 2021 will also feature the Ford Mariachi Festival, an annual showcasing of Mariachi groups from local high schools and colleges. Folklorico dancers will also be part of the celebration. The three-day event is free and is best enjoyed by picking a spot along the River Walk sipping a cold margarita at one of the many restaurants or San Antonio Riverwalk hotels and watching the dancers and musicians float by. If you are lucky, you will be at a spot where one of the boats stops and you can have a private riverside concert or dance performance.
San Antonio has a long history of German settlers, so German beer and sausage is just as much part of the culture as tamales and margaritas. Part of Fiesta will be a three-day event celebrating everything German. Sponsored by the Beethoven Maennerchor, an organization dedicated to the preservation of German, music, heritage, and food. Gartenfest will feature traditional German foods and libations. Fiesta royalty will also be paying a visit Gartenfest, so you might be able to drink with a King or Queen.
If you like your partying to include lots of physical activity, don’t miss out on the only Fiesta bike ride, the Wildflower Ride. All bike types are welcome to join in on the 15th year the Wildflower Ride. Or if running is more up your alley, check out the 9th annual Fiesta Run to Remember or the Fiesta Especial Inclusion 5k and Parade. After the 5k, there will be small town Fiesta Parade. There will also be a kayaking event held by the San Antonio River Foundation. Wear your Fiesta pin sash and show off your Fiesta pride as you kayak past down the River along the River Walk.
To really get into the spirit of Fiesta, be sure to attend This Hallowed Ground: Alamo Plaza Historical walking Tour. Presented by the Sons of the Republic of Texas, this walking tour will feature living historians in costume, and a tour of the important sites in and around Alamo Plaza and Compound. This is a not to be missed event for any die-hard historian or first time San Antonio visitor.
Fiesta has something everybody, whether you bring the whole family who just a wild celebration with friends. For something that is 100% about the kids, this San Antonio family trips guide is a good start. Or looking to extend your Fiesta stay into something more romantic, click here for romantic weekend ideas. Many of the events take place at or round the River Walk, so be sure to check out this hotel and restaurant guide so you can get the best seat.
