Battle of Flowers Parade in San Antonio

Texas has always been a state proud of its heritage and its heroes. San Antonio in the south central part of Texas has always recognized the importance of its part in Texas history. So it's no surprise when in 1891 some citizens decided to honor the heroes of the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto.

For those of you not from Texas the Battle of the Alamo was the most famous battle of the Texas Revolution. In 1836 a band of settlers had driven the Mexican army out of what was then Mexican Texas. The settlers held off the Mexican army for over ten days in what is today San Antonio but vastly outnumbered lost the battle.

Women, children were allowed to live. One slave and a prisoner who was a member of the Mexican army were the only adult males who survived. All other Texas males inside the Alamo were shot.

Their deaths sparked the rallying cry of "Remember the Alamo." The Texan army rallied and led by Sam Houston defeated the Mexican army led by Mexican President Santa Ana at the Battle of San Jacinto. The battle of San Jacinto is the battle when on April 21, 1836 Texas won its independence from Mexico.

The idea for the very first Battle of Flowers parade came from the wife of a Texas congressman who had seen a similar parade in Spain. April 21^st was the date she suggested to remember the heroes of the Alamo and the victory of San Jacinto.

The memorial parade took the form of a flower battle where half the flower covered carriages and bicycles threw flowers at the other half of the parade going in the opposite direction. Today the parade totally planned and directed by women is second in size only to the Tournament of Roses parade in Pasadena.

The non-profit women's organization has continued through the years to remember the heroes and teach the history of Texas and San Antonio. Their efforts are focused on three events: a February essay and speaking contest, a band festival held during Fiesta week and the Battle of Flowers parade. The Parade has been held every year except during World War I and II and is considered to be the original event of Fiesta San Antonio.

The Alamo and its heroes are the focus of the Parade of Flowers today as they were in the past. In fact participants in the Parade of Flowers are asked to place a floral tribute on the lawn in front of the Alamo.

The Parade of Flowers is led by the Vanguard of local military ROTC units who perform precision drills as they pass in review. The 2009 Parade of Flowers theme is Hats Off To Texas celebrating past memories and future expectations of the unique people and history of Texas.

In the Parade of Flowers you'll find local high school bands , horse units , military units and lots of floats.

Tickets are available for grandstand seating and can be obtained either on line, at the Fiesta store or by mail. Depending on location; grandstand seating tickets range from $12 to $18. Grandstand seating sells out quickly. Street chairs are also available along the parade route. More information can be obtained by going to www.battleofflowers.org or calling 210-225-5191.

Seats for the Band festival vary from $7 for box seats to $2 student admission. The Battle of Flowers Band Festival is held Thursday evening before the parade at the Alamo Stadium from 7 to 9pm.

If you have the opportunity the Battle of Flowers is truly the San Antonio Fiesta event you should not miss. The Battle of Flowers events combine the fun, the festivity, and most importantly the history that is San Antonio Fiesta.