Now that Fiesta has kicked off with a beautiful firework show at the Alamo and a few events that made it through the rain this weekend, let's tell you a little about what it is Fiesta is celebrating.
To begin, in February of 1836, the Alamo fell to Santa Ana's army after a 13 day siege. One month later, on April 21, General Sam Houston led the Texas Army to defeat Santa Ana at the Battle of San Jacinto. Fast forward to 1891 and the wave of patriotism for Texas led to a group of women decorating carriages and putting on their own parade in front of the Alamo and throwing flower blossoms. This small parade to honor the fallen soldiers at the Alamo and San Jacinto went on to become the Battle of Flowers Parade that we see today.
This small parade quickly evolved into multiple events that centered around April 21. With dances, festivals, and more, the event was beginning to attract an audience. People were beginning to trickle in from outside of the blossoming San Antonio, each year more and more events were being added to the calendar. But there was still a piece missing.
Fiesta Royalty
In 1909, the Order of the Alamo was founded, creating the selection committee of Fiesta Royalty. With a total of 26 people - a queen, a princess, and 24 duchesses. The queens only serve for a year, but in that year, they get to be in the many parades as well as go to a majority of the Fiesta events, while earning scholarship money. In total, there are now seven official Fiesta Queens: Miss Fiesta San Antonio, The Queen of Soul, Miss San Antonio, The Charro Queen, The Reina de la Feria de las Flores, and the Fiesta Teen Queen. Many of these positions are earned through raising money for scholarships and through pageants. Shout out to our own fellow Triniperson Rebekah Williams for earning the position of First Princess in the Court of the Queen of Soul!
The men are represented through two prestigious positions - King Antonio and El Rey Feo (The Ugly King, for you non-Spanish speakers). Starting in 1927, King Antonio has been nominated through the Texas Cavaliers, an organization made up of 600 leaders in the San Antonio community, and King Antonio is announced through the River Parade. El Rey Feo, on the other hand started in 1947 (but not becoming official until 1980). Coming from the stories of resentment from the common people to the king of Spain in medieval times, when the king surrounded himself with beautiful people. In response to this, the commoners would elect themselves an 'ugly king' or a 'peoples' king'. El Rey Feo is a nod to the heritage, and is nominated by the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC). His parade is the Fiesta Flambeau.
The Quirks
Some of Fiesta's quirkier pieces - such as the princesses wearing funny shoes under their beautiful gowns we may never know the full story behind. However, starting in late March, colourful wreathes take to doorways once more, ribbons streaming off of them and cornhusk flowers dotting them. Cascarones cover the streets, and colorful banners line driveways and balconies. Many of these traditions embrace the fun and lighthearted celebration of our state's history, and make it a true celebration of life rather than the death of hundreds of soldiers.
All in all, Fiesta has gone on, rain or shine annually for 125 years, save for 1918 and 1942-45 due to the World Wars . This year, the Fiesta Commission is expecting 3.5 million people to participate in the events overall, with nearly 300 million dollars being pumped through the economy. This event has a rich, cultural and historical backstory and is definitely worth experiencing for yourself!
