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A beautiful day for Fiesta's iconic parade! Battle of Flowers returns to San Antonio

San Antonians lined the new parade route through downtown as thousands of performers and floats renewed the Battle of Flowers Parade tradition.

SAN ANTONIO — Fiesta finally returned to its full form this year with a fan favorite, the Battle of Flowers Parade. It was canceled in 2021 when only a limited number of events were celebrated in June due to COVID-19.

The Battle of Flowers Parade has been around for more than 100 years. It began in 1891 as a celebration to honor the heroes of the Alamo, Goliad and the Battle of San Jacinto, according to the parade's website. The organization is an all-women volunteer organization with 400 members. 

Preparations for the parade were taking place on Wednesday. Vendors set up booths, workers were constructing bleachers, and some families set up their folding chairs and tents to stay the night.

Cousins Nyla Harris and Ahmir Thompson sat along Avenue E propped up in their folding chairs for hours.

“We do this for every single parade,” Thompson said it’s a family tradition spanning generations to get front row seats.

RELATED: Families stake out new camping spots along Battle of Flowers new parade route

The Battle of Flowers trip, normally down Broadway Street, started near San Antonio College and ended near La Villita. It began at 9:30 a.m. on Friday.

Fiesta History

San Antonio residents decided to honor the heroes of the Alamo and Battle of San Jacinto by creating the first Battle of Flowers event in 1891. 

The Battle of Flowers, the largest parade in Fiesta, used horse-drawn carriages and bicycles decorated with flowers in the first parade. There was also floats carrying children dressed as flowers with participants throwing blossoms at one another.

Fiesta Royalty

After the success of Battle of the Flowers, more events were added each year to include a carnival, balls and coronations of "royalty."

Fiesta San Antonio has nine Official Fiesta Royalty members. Each member is supported by her/his respective Participating Member Organization to support charitable activities benefitting the San Antonio community. 

  • Queen of the Order of the Alamo
  • King San Antonio
  • Rey Feo
  • Miss Fiesta San Antonio 
  • La Reina de la Feria de las Flores 
  • First Teenage Queen
  • Charro Queen 
  • Queen of Soul
  • Miss San Antonio

Fiesta Gowns

Fiesta is all about style. If you're looking for a runway show look no further than some fiesta coronation gowns. These show-stopping gowns will be worn by girls complete with crowns and intricate trains during the Battle of Flowers Parade.

Creation of the gowns take several months from August to February adding up to around 150,000 hours of work. Last year, the gowns were displayed at the Witte Museum after the parades were canceled due to COVID-19 but are returning this year.

More Fiesta fun on KENS 5:

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