San Antonio's annual excuse to raise a glass — and some chicken on a stick — while benefitting local charities is now in full swing. Here's a look back at how folks did things during past celebrations.
Photos: UTSA's Digital Collections
Let's Look Back at How Fiesta Has Changed Over the Years
By San Antonio Current Staff on Thu, Apr 9, 2020 at 10:18 am
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5th U. S. Cavalry mounted band in Battle of Flowers Parade, San Antonio, Texas, 1897
Here comes the cavalry! This mounted band clopped down the streets of San Antonio over 120 years ago.
Here comes the cavalry! This mounted band clopped down the streets of San Antonio over 120 years ago.
1940 Battle of Flowers Parade participants on Houston Street
An aerial view of the Battle of Flowers Parade coming down Houston Street.
An aerial view of the Battle of Flowers Parade coming down Houston Street.
Fiesta Island, rides and games area at HemisFair'68
Why don’t we have this anymore for Fiesta?
Why don’t we have this anymore for Fiesta?
Acrobat Monnette DeViney Performing
Monnette Deviney performing the ultimate tricep dips on canes.
Monnette Deviney performing the ultimate tricep dips on canes.
Margaret ''Monnie'' Barclay, Fiesta Queen
The Queen of the Court of the Old South rides upon her float in 1940.
The Queen of the Court of the Old South rides upon her float in 1940.
Paddleboat in the 1941 Texas Cavaliers River Parade
The caption at the time called them “strange creatures,” but nowadays we call them Oklahomans.
The caption at the time called them “strange creatures,” but nowadays we call them Oklahomans.
Bozo the Clown in the Fiesta San Jacinto River Pageant
You're forever in our hearts, Bozo.
You're forever in our hearts, Bozo.
Crowd lining Alamo Plaza for 1937 Parade
Probably Joske’s favorite time of year as people line down the street for the parade.
Probably Joske’s favorite time of year as people line down the street for the parade.
"Save the Alamo" Float, sponsored by Joske's, in the 1904 Battle of Flowers Parade
Protecting the Alamo has been an issue since the very beginning.
Protecting the Alamo has been an issue since the very beginning.
Street Litter from the 1939 Fiesta Parade
Not much has changed since then.
Not much has changed since then.
Fiesta '95: Drinking at the Block Party
THOSE SHORTS!
THOSE SHORTS!
Rowdy the Roadrunner Holding Fiesta UTSA (OOTSA) Poster in Front of Sombrilla
Well... at least it wasn’t as bad as the New Orleans Pelicans’ first mascot. Rowdy would go on to get a much-needed facelift years later.
Well... at least it wasn’t as bad as the New Orleans Pelicans’ first mascot. Rowdy would go on to get a much-needed facelift years later.
The Lagoon Cruise Approaches Fiesta Island at HemisFair'68
Again, why is this not a thing today?
Again, why is this not a thing today?
Will Rogers and his musicians posed on sidewalk playing instruments
Will Rogers, his musicians and a dancer roaming around town during Fiesta week.
Will Rogers, his musicians and a dancer roaming around town during Fiesta week.
King Antonio's Horse on a Float in the 1941 River Parade
The King’s horse looks like he either hates water or just realized he forgot to close the paddock door.
The King’s horse looks like he either hates water or just realized he forgot to close the paddock door.
Betsy Smith at Fiesta Carnival
Betsy Smith in her Fiesta best.
Betsy Smith in her Fiesta best.
Betsy Smith on ferris wheel
Our girl Betsy Smith also took a ride on the ferris wheel.
Our girl Betsy Smith also took a ride on the ferris wheel.
George Friedrich, King Antonio XXIII, and Mayor Maury Maverick
We don’t know whether to be more impressed by the entire bird’s worth of feathers on that hat, or the secret agent standing in the back left.
We don’t know whether to be more impressed by the entire bird’s worth of feathers on that hat, or the secret agent standing in the back left.
Marcel Robin Working on a Parade Float
Marcel could probably feel the judgy looks behind him as he was constructing this float.
Marcel could probably feel the judgy looks behind him as he was constructing this float.
Western Fiesta Band
Fiesta singers and band members getting ready to put the city in the mood to party.
Fiesta singers and band members getting ready to put the city in the mood to party.
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