Tonight was Fiesta Flambeau, the largest illuminated night parade in America!
FIESTA FLAMBEAU BEGINS IN 1948
Inspired by Mardi Gras in 1948, Reynolds Andriks, who had been heavily involved in Fiesta over the years, created a night time parade to add to the annual San Antonio Fiesta festivities.
In order to light the parades at night, four men marched with five foot poles topped with light flares, spread out amongst ten parade entries.
That description and photograph reminds me of the torches used in Colonial Williamsburg during Drummer’s Call tatoo at night.
Since I do not (yet) have a Fiesta Flambeau photo, one of my photos of the Drummer’s Call torches will be used for the blog post header (at the top) in memory of the original Fiesta Flambeau.
Nowdays other variations of lighting are used by the parade entrants…and by the crowd!
CREATING PARADE ENTRANTS
Because the military was not actively involved in Fiesta events, Mr. Andriks proposed to the commanders of Fort Sam, Lackland AFB, Kelly AFB, and Randolph AFB, that each base elect a queen that would ride in the parade on a float representing the base.
Mr. Andricks assured people that Fiesta had grown large enough to accommodate additional crowned royalty. He also made it clear that he was establishing a new line of nobility that would be known
only as Flambeau Royalty which included Miss Fiesta. –Fiesta Flambeau History
Military bands participated as well.
Additionally, Mr. Andriks invited the Alzafar Shriners with their fez-topped band and a group of their famed trick cyclists. –Fiesta Flambeau History
Next, he solicited commercial firms to join – they could afford fancy floats. He convinced them that the visibility of the Flambeau Parade would be good for business. –Fiesta Flambeau History
Soon, civil clubs and social clubs became a part of Flambeau. These groups were intrigued by Mr. Andricks’ idea to stage “a parade of nations where Americans who have pride in their heritage, have an opportunity to build a float (emblematic) of their country”. –Fiesta Flambeau History
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS LONGHORNS OPEN FIESTA FLAMBEAU
The annual tradition of the University of Texas Longhorns opening the Fiesta Flambeau began with a certain alumni by the name of…who else but Reynolds Andriks!
This is the favorite part for us since we are huge Longhorns fans!
FIRST TIME AT FIESTA FLAMBEAU
I’ll never forgot the one time I got to attend Fiesta Flambeau at the Blue House across from the San Antonio Light newspaper.
While we sat on the balcony with friends overlooking the beginning of the parade, the broadcasters and cameramen worked below us.
And the best part apart from the uniqueness of all the nighttime lighting…actually seeing the Texas Longhorn Band in person! Hook ’em Horns!
