After finishing my Autumnal Harlequin Quilt, my Starry Night Quilt, and my 2015 Jinny Beyer Block of the Month Quilt, I pulled another quilt top out of my opaque plastic box from the move.
Wanting to celebrate Fiesta, I finished my Texas flag quilt, which now hangs in the dining area.
After creating a waving effect with the bargello technique, I appliqued the lone star on the field of blue.
For the background, I used this gorgeous bluebonnet fabric.
Below is a picture of the flag laying on top of the red starred backing fabric, before putting together the quilt sandwich.
TEXAS INDEPENDENCE
Completing it in time for Fiesta, we remembered the Alamo, Goliad, and San Jacinto!
After Texas declared Independence at Washington-on-the-Brazos on March 2, 1836, the Alamo fell four days later.
Later that month, Goliad suffered the same fate at the hands of Santa Anna’s army.
A month later, General Sam Houston (who was born in Virginia) captured Santa Anna during his siesta on April 21, securing Texas Independence.
FIESTA CELEBRATES TEXAS INDEPENDENCE
Originating in 1891 to honor those who fought and died for Texas Independence at the battles of the Alamo, Goliad, and San Jacinto, Fiesta became a yearly tradition.
Although Fiesta began with the Battle of Flowers Parade, San Antonio now celebrates for ten-days with various events around the week of April 21, which includes three parades.
TEXAS CAVALIERS RIVER PARADE
Hosted at the beginning of Fiesta week on Monday night, is the Texas Cavaliers River Parade.
In 2007, we attended, since those affiliated with the military received free passes.
Arriving early to be assured of good parking downtown and to beat the traffic, I was surprised that there was no traffic!
The city offices must close early for the big party!
Since we had plenty of time before the parade, we walked down to the Alamo where we were surprised to see a special ceremony, called Pilgrimage to the Alamo.
Various military and civic groups and schools lay flowers in front of the Alamo to honor those who died fighting for freedom.
Then we walked back to the part of the river where the Cavaliers were honoring the military with dinner, music, and free medals.
Fiesta medals are a big deal!
Before we left for the evening’s parade, I had shown the kids my small collection, which began in 1991.
Elated to begin their own collection of medals to proudly wear, my children were ready to begin the river parade!
Most unique to any parade, the Texas Cavaliers Parade features decorated barges floating down the San Antonio River, near the Alamo.
At the beginning of the parade, King Antonio of the Texas Cavaliers opens the evening.
This float features one of the many Fiesta queens in a glittery gown.
The weathermen, (this one is our favorite) who shot water at us, floated down individually on innertubes that had little motors on them.
BATTLE OF FLOWERS PARADE
On Friday of Fiesta week, public schools take a holiday for the Battle of Flowers Parade held in the afternoon.
As a San Antonio student, I always exclaimed: Yee haw!
The following pictures from 1988 were taken from the balcony of the Blue House at the beginning of the parade route, although I grew to love watching the parade in front of the Alamo.
At the first parade over a hundred years ago, carriages were bedecked in flowers, and everyone threw flowers at each other, a tradition that originated with the Ancient Romans during the triumphal marches.
Traditionally, the Texas A&M band opens the parade if they don’t have other commitments.
On the flower strewn floats and cars are queens wearing stunning gowns with long trains that tell stories of what their reign represents.
Lots of civic groups have floats, too!
Marching down the street are all the local high school bands and military bands (since we are military city USA), and even the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps who travel from Virginia!
When I taught third grade in San Antonio, we had our students make their own floats out of shoe boxes representing Texas History.
On Thursday of Fiesta Week, we held our own parade for the school, as the third graders, led by their teachers, carried their shoe box floats for the school to see.
For this event everyone wore their Fiesta attire and wore our medals, often gifted to us by either El Rey Feo or King Antonio.
What fun!
FIESTA FLAMBEAU PARADE
Then on Saturday night, we have the Fiesta Flambeau Parade, which is the largest illuminated night parade in the country.
Although I also watched this one in 1988 from the balcony of the Blue House, I don’t have any photos, but it’s basically the same bands, cars, floats, etc, except they are illuminated!
Opening the parade for the evening parade is the Texas Longhorn Band! Hook ‘em Horns!
TEX MEX FOOD
When watching the parades at home on television, we enjoy Tex-Mex, a tradition we keep as best we can now that we are in Virginia, when we can find the parade on-line.
Since there is so much variety to Tex-Mex, I have a ton of recipes to spread out the various assortments, although most of my current photos are of different types of enchiladas.
Hopefully we can return to see some parades, again, in person.
Now we have the Texas Flag quilt to decorate our Fiesta week at home!
