Fiesta is San Antonio’s party with a purpose! It’s a citywide, ten-day celebration that attracts millions of visitors and raises approximately $340 million each year for community charities. Let’s explore the history of this celebration and its ties to the Alamo.
What is Fiesta and What Does it Have to do with the Alamo?
Fiesta and the Alamo
The Alamo proudly stands at the heart of Fiesta. The celebration got its start in 1891 with a single parade intended to honor the heroes of the Texas Revolution.
The parade, organized by a group of San Antonio women led by Ellen Maury Slayden, took place on April 21 to mark the anniversary of the Battle of San Jacinto and honor the heroes of the Alamo. It was filled with floats, horse-drawn carriages and bicycles, all decorated with flowers. As the participants arrived in front of the Alamo, they threw flowers at one another – earning the parade its memorable name, “Battle of Flowers.”
That first parade was such a success that by 1895, festivities grew into a week-long celebration that included street dances, festivals, carnivals, balls, and the coronation of a Fiesta Queen – followed a few years later by the choosing of a King.
The Battle of Flowers Parade continues to this day, though the tradition of throwing flowers has evolved into the laying of wreaths in front of the Alamo Church. It is considered the nation’s largest parade organized by women.
Fiesta has taken place every year since 1891, apart from 1918 (during World War I), 1942-1945 (during World War II), and 2020 (due to the COVID-19 pandemic). During those interwar periods, the Daughters of the Republic of Texas began a longstanding tradition of a Pilgrimage walk from the old Municipal Auditorium, now the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, to the Alamo, where they lay wreaths in honor of the Alamo Defenders.
During Fiesta, our nation’s military branches host demonstrations on Alamo Plaza, carrying on the celebration’s legacy of honoring our heroes.
Fiesta Medals
The Alamo also takes part in the cherished tradition of Fiesta medals. Much like Mardi Gras beads, Fiesta medals are a tangible connection to great memories.
The tradition of medals began in 1946 with coins, about the size of a half-dollar, handed out by King Antonio. In 1961, the old Joske’s department store (now H&M) began producing commemorative cardboard coin holders. A new fashion accessory was born: Fiesta-revelers began wearing these coin holders around their necks or pinned to their shirts.
By 1990, organizations throughout San Antonio began producing and distributing their own Fiesta medals to raise money for their causes. Many medals are marked by year, showcasing creative designs and trends over time.
Visitors to the Alamo can purchase an Official Alamo medal, a Bella the Alamo Cat medal, and even a medal for fans of the 1985 film Pee-wee’s Big Adventure that features a memorable scene at the Alamo. They are sold on the Alamo’s website or at the Alamo Welcome Center.
