Majestic memories: Antique photos show Fiesta queens
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A Fiesta queen in 1951. Photo: Courtesy of the San Antonio Conservation Society Foundation
Fiesta has evolved since its inception in 1891, but vintage photos show the queens of the parades have always been opulent.
Flashback: The Conservation Society of San Antonio shared photos showing unnamed women, likely Order of the Alamo royalty, dressed in majestic gowns atop floats in the Battle of Flowers parade.
- Two of the photos were taken in 1937, amid the Great Depression.
- The other is dated 1951.
Between the lines: The 1937 photos were taken in front of 618 Broadway, which still stands. Though a longstanding tradition, the routes for Battle of Flowers and Flambeau parades have not passed through Broadway for years due to construction.
- Fiesta Commission spokesperson Steve Rosenauer told Axios the group does not know if the parade can return until construction is complete.
What's next: The Battle of Flowers Parade is on Friday, followed by the Flambeau Parade on Saturday.
- Get acquainted with the new parade map here.
