Photo By Sgt. Tamika Exom | Maj. Gen Simeon G. Trombitas takes part in an exhibition dance during the Celebrations...... read more read more
Subscribe
SAN ANTONIO – Soldiers, family members and friends from Fort Sam Houston and surrounding communities, joined U.S. Army South and other tenant units in celebrating Fiesta 2012, from April 19-29, at FSH and various other locations throughout the city.
With more than 100 official events consisting of parades, festivals, concerts, coronations, athletic events and more, San Antonio’s annual 11-day celebration always has something for every family member to participate in.
“This is my first year here in San Antonio,” said Spc. Brittany L. Dorcelus, a finance clerk with Army South. “Fiesta has so many different activities to choose from. It’s hard to pick which events I wanted to attend.”
Dorcelus took her 2-year-old daughter, Ayrianna, out for a day of train rides and swings, fiesta style.
Fiesta started in 1891 as a lavish flower parade to honor the heroes of the Alamo and the victorious Battle of San Jacinto, who won Texas’ Independence from Mexico, April 21, 1836. The Battle of Flowers was an immediate success. The first parade had horse-drawn carriages, bicycles decorated with fresh flowers and floats carrying children dressed as flowers as they pelted each other with blossoms. Within a few years, more events were taking place on or near April 21 — a carnival, balls and coronations of “royalty.”
The theme of this year’s parade is "Battle of Flowers …Where Fiesta Began!" The Battle of Flowers Parade is the only one in the country to be planned and directed completely by women (the Battle of Flowers Association) and today, has grown to be the largest parade in Fiesta. It’s second in size nationally only to the Tournament of Roses Parade. The Battle of Flowers Association is a nonprofit and civic women’s organization chartered in 1914 to celebrate Texas history. Remembering the heroes of the Alamo has remained the focus of the parade, and participants are asked to bring a floral tribute to be placed on the lawn in front of the Alamo.
The Celebrations of Traditions Pow Wow held at the Woodlake Gymnasium, April 21, is an official Fiesta event that provided all who attended, including Maj. Gen. Simeon G. Trombitas, U.S. Army South, commanding general, the opportunity to view and participate in the American Indian culture and traditions of dance and music. During the pow wow, Trombitas, along with other attendees took part in a smudging ceremony. In smudging ceremonies, sage is burned to drive out bad spirits, feelings, or influences, and also to keep bad spirits from entering the area where a ceremony takes place. The pow wow promotes tribal traditions, culture and the opportunity for people to gather in celebrating their rich heritage with one another. The free event included Gourd Dancing, intertribal dancing and exhibitions.
Fort Sam Houston opened up its gates to the public, April 22, for the cultural and festive celebration known as Fiesta and Fireworks. Attractions included authentic food, children’s activity tents, games, carnival rides, military displays, live entertainment, arts and crafts, and ended with a spectacular fireworks finale.
Another longtime Fiesta tradition is the Pilgrimage to the Alamo. The Daughters of the Republic of Texas have staged this event since 1925. The pilgrimage is a memorial tribute to the Alamo heroes and the heritage of Texas. Trombitas and Command Sgt. Maj. Gabriel Cervantez, U.S. Army South, command sergeant major, walked silently to the Alamo during a wreath-bearing procession as the names of the Alamo defenders were recited. The ceremony concluded with a brief memorial service outside the historic Texas landmark.
“It was an honor to be part of an event that recognizes and remembers the sacrifices of our fallen Heroes, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice for others,” said Cervantes.
Once the pilgrimage ended, many people migrated over to the River Walk for the "Rockin' on the River” Texas Cavalier River Parade.
The Texas Cavaliers, an organization of over 500 businesses, civic and community leaders, was founded in 1926 to preserve and promote the ideals for which the heroes of the Alamo died. Each year, since 1927, a King has been elected by his peers to pay tribute to Alamo heroes, attend the King’s Ball, and preside over city-wide Fiesta activities. The King pays special tribute to military and civilian partnerships, visiting military bases and recognizing American troops for their vital role in securing the safety of our country.
For years King Antonio had no set tradition for his official arrival at Fiesta. In 1941, after the city completed improvements to the San Antonio River in 1941, the Cavaliers decided to introduce the king in a river parade. This was the first event to take place on the river after the improvements. As the most unique parade in the United States, the River Parade is one of the few in the nation in which the floats actually make their way down a body of water. About 250,000 people line the banks of the river walk in attendance.
“The Texas Cavalier's River Parade was a fantastic opportunity to represent U.S. Army South and Fort Sam Houston as a citizen and partner of the San Antonio community,” said Sgt. Maj. Brent W. Dick, U.S. Army South, intelligence sergeant major and senior enlisted manager. “The enthusiastic crowd easily provided more entertainment for me than I did for them. If you have the chance in the future to participate in this event, I highly recommend it.”
Fiesta has grown over the years to a 11-day celebration, running April 19- April 29, featuring more than 100 events showcasing music, food, sports, pageantry, military and patriotic observances, exhibits, and parades. Past Fiestas have featured regattas, synchronized swimming, polo matches, a hot-air balloon race, rifle competitions and bowling tournaments. Long-time traditions include Cornyation, a raucous show lampooning San Antonio headlines and personalities; St. Mary’s Oyster Bake, features two days of food (including 100,000 oysters) and live music on the St. Mary’s University campus. Oyster Bake has been a San Antonio tradition for more than 90 years. The Women’s Fiesta Soccer Tournament is an invitational tournament, featuring top teams from around the nation.
In 2007, the Fiesta San Antonio Commission conducted an economic impact study by conducting intercept interviews at the major Fiesta events. Surveyors were asked questions about how much money had been spent at the event, how far they traveled and demographic information. The study concluded that that Fiesta San Antonio has an economic impact of nearly $284 million on the city of San Antonio, including $4 million in city sales tax. For more information about Fiesta, visit http://www.fiesta-sa.org/.
| Date Taken: | 04.25.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 04.30.2012 17:22 |
| Story ID: | 87617 |
| Location: | SAN ANTONIO, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 67 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, U.S. Army South, FSH communities remember the Alamo, celebrate Fiesta 2012, by SGT Tamika Exom, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT