With a history that spans more than 100 years, our association has many milestones under its festive belt. From the inaugural Battle of Flowers Parade in 1891 to the addition of events that continue to inspire and educate today, this timeline highlights the moments and people who’ve carried forward the vibrant traditions of Fiesta, San Antonio, and Texas at large.
Founders such as Ellen Maury Slayden, inspired by their travels to places like Mexico City and the French Riviera, which held processions of “flower battles,” inaugurated a floral parade to honor the heroic spirit exhibited at the battles of the Alamo, Goliad, and San Jacinto. Mr. E.V. Vale, a veteran of the Battle of San Jacinto, was an honored participant of the first parade. The Battle of Flowers parade is the second oldest parade in the nation and the largest run entirely by women volunteers.
This year marked the first time the parade featured a horseless float. The 1940 parade was the first to feature all vehicle-powered floats
The Oratorical Contest is among the oldest collegiate forensic competitions in the state. Winners of our intercollegiate oratorical competition as well as their respective universities receive valuable cash awards to support these high-achieving students.
The Band Festival, begun in 1936, is among the oldest high school marching band festivals in the nation. Winning schools receive “Celebration of Music” grants to support their programs and their dedicated band and color guard students. Supporting the arts in our public schools is a fundamental component of this beloved community event.
The Band Festival makes its permanent home at “The Rock Pile” of Alamo Stadium. Generations of high schoolers have performed during Fiesta in San Antonio at this national historic landmark.
The Battle of Flowers Association purchased land and built a large facility for constructing and storing its parade floats.
The Battle of Flowers iconic yellow hats made their debut to make members more visible to assist the public.
The parade debuted two new sections:
the Commercial Floats section and the Dignitaries section.
Open to all area middle school students, our essay contest grants both public and private school category winners cash awards and the opportunity to ride in the Battle of Flowers parade as celebrated VIPs.
The inaugural Cover Art Contest was held in 2006 for high school art students. The winner’s design is featured on 15,000 programs distributed during Fiesta week and rides as a VIP in the association’s iconic Fiesta parade.
The Traveling Float began during the years when Fiesta parades were suspended due to Covid. It has since grown to be a crowd favorite and travels across the city each spring in anticipation of Fiesta.
With a major renovation to Alamo Plaza, the association’s parade route for Fiesta San Antonio has changed for now, but the heart of the parade remains The Alamo and honoring Texas history.
The Foundation is established to give back to the community and bring new Battle of Flowers educational initiatives to benefit students and teachers of San Antonio, and to increase knowledge of Texas history, heritage and culture.
