Learn more about what we celebrate.
When you think about Fiesta, what stories come to mind?
For many, Fiesta San Antonio evokes memories of eating chicken on a stick, standing for hours asking the royal court to “show us your shoes,” and colorful paper flowers crowning the heads of children. We trade and collect medals like badges of honor, each one a symbol of our city’s spirit.
What began in 1891 as a tribute to Texas’ defenders has evolved into a larger-than-life citywide festival. But behind the cascarones and fancy dresses of the royal court, another story lives. What are we even celebrating, and how are we celebrating it?
These questions might seem strange to you. If you’ve grown up in San Antonio, you might have grown up having King Antonio come to your school and celebrated getting a day off for the Battle of Flowers Parade. Traditions like this teach a very specific story about Fiesta, so you may have never even considered there could be another side.
But what stories would we hear about the Battle of the Alamo or San Jacinto if they were told from a different perspective? What questions would we ask about the royal court? How would we feel about the parades and events?
Additional Resources
If this piques your curiosity, try reading this article by longtime San Antonian Lionel Sosa about the complex feelings some of our neighbors have about Fiesta. And this article by Elaine Ayala on the roots of Fiesta. Check out this timeline and see what questions might arise for you about how and why we celebrate Fiesta.
