Viva Fiesta!

Fiesta is a San Antonio tradition that has always been a part of my life. Someone recently asked me why we even have this 'week long party'. Honestly, I completely had forgotten the actual intention. So I looked it up. Here is what I found on http://www.fiesta-sa.org/. " Fiesta San Antonio started in 1891 as a one-parade event and has evolved today into one of this nation’s premier festivals with more than 100 events and an economic impact of almost $284 million for the city. Fiesta is “The Party with a Purpose.” Each event is produced by a nonprofit organization selected by the Fiesta^® San Antonio Commission. The funds they raise provide services to San Antonio citizens throughout the year...The first Battle of Flowers® Parade took place in 1891 to honor the heroes of the Alamo and to commemorate the Battle of San Jacinto, April 21, 1836, where Texas won its independence from Mexico."

When I was growing up, we had a family friend who owned a business on the street that hosts the parades (there is also a night parade the day following the Battle of Flowers). It was a private party so, aside from finding parking, we didn't really have to fight the crowd as much. We barbecued, socialized, cracked cascarones, and watched the parade go by. I personally loved the loud drums of the marching bands pound by. It made my tiny child sized chest rattle inside. Another fond memory is when the parade started and we could see the first floats coming, Vern, the business owner would yell at the top of his lungs, "The paaarrrraaaaade is coooooming!!!"

Vern has closed up shop and sold his business since then and all the fond memories are nestled up on a shelf in my heart. My Fiesta experiences have never been as fun as then, but I hope to someday create a similar tradition for my family. Maybe we should befriend a Broadway business owner! I had the chance to attend a Fiesta Flower arrangement workshop last week. Here is my creation!