Today, Fiesta San Antonio spans 17 days and is a testament to our city’s prosperity. It’s not just a festival but a true community effort. Over 100 local nonprofit groups and 75,000 volunteers come together to orchestrate this grand celebration. With its 100+ events, Fiesta has a significant economic impact on our city, surpassing $284 million in revenue.
This year, the festivities run from April 18 to 28, featuring events like A Night In Old San Antonio (NIOSA), Fiesta Oyster Bake, A Taste of New Orleans, concerts and more. But beyond the glitz and glamor, Fiesta’s origins are deeply intertwined with our community, dating back to the 1891 Battle of Flowers.
The Battle of Flowers occurred on April 21, 1891, when a group of wealthy Anglo women led by Ellen Maury Slayden organized a parade with carriages, bicycles and floats decorated with fresh flowers and children dressed as flowers. The parade was intended to celebrate the heroes of the Alamo, Goliad and the Battle of San Jacinto, and it was put on after a four-day rain delay. The origin of flower parades in Texas came from J.S. Alexander, president of Texas National Bank, who was inspired by floats he had seen in Spain.
It was named a “Battle of Flowers” because the work that went into decorating the floats with flowers was seemingly like a battle full of flowers as ammunition. The clubs and volunteers that organized this first parade eventually formed the Battle of Flowers Association. The association aims to “teach the history of our state and keep the patriotic traditions of Texas and San Antonio alive.”
This association is responsible for many traditions of the Fiesta experience, such as their signature yellow hats and “show us your shoes” chants. The chant has always been my favorite Fiesta tradition as a native San Antonian. As the tradition goes, the women on the parade floats during the Battle of Flowers Parade wear beautiful, extravagant dresses with vibrant colors and long trains. The crowds around the parade shout, “Show us your shoes!” The women lift their dresses slightly to reveal elaborate footwear, such as fluffy boots, bizarre slippers and bedazzled flip-flops. This year, the Battle of Flowers Parade takes place on April 26, starting at 10:30 a.m. Tickets are sold on six streets encompassing the parade path and can be purchased on battleofflowers.org.
Aside from the Battle of Flowers Parade, more recently developed celebrations and organizations have also made Fiesta the dynamic event it is. A Night In Old San Antonio (NIOSA) is a now four-night downtown festival founded in 1936. The original event was a harvest festival sponsored by the Conservation Society of San Antonio on the grounds of Mission San Jose, and it was all about the food. From chili to baked desserts and tamales, all of the delicious delights of Fiesta can be found at NIOSA. Now, NIOSA is the top fundraiser for historic preservation in the nation, living by its motto, “Celebration for Preservation.” The funds raised from the event go towards preserving the historical buildings of San Antonio and Texas. This year, the 76th presentation of NIOSA will be held from April 23-26 on South Presa Street.
