Thousands of parade-goers lined the downtown streets to witness Fiesta’s crowning glory, the Battle of Flowers Parade. A San Antonio tradition since 1891, the parade was started as a way to honor the heroes of famous Texas battles, including the Battle of the Alamo.
In keeping with that tradition, parade participants continue to pass by the historic battleground and hand off wreaths to students of San Antonio Academy, who then place them on the manicured green lawn of the Mission San Antonio de Valero.
Venture just a few feet from that ceremonial pitstop and the patterned brick becomes deep brown fill dirt, which was brought in this week allowing the route to continue through the construction that’s taken over Alamo Plaza.
But the construction didn’t stop attendees and participants from making the most of the mild weather with slight wind gusts and overcast skies.
Large yellow machinery backed the duchesses and bright red fire trucks that passed through the plaza, a backdrop that likely will be forgotten by most as the site of remembrance continues to take shape.