Group+4+Battle+of+the+Flowers+(Fiesta)

//**Battle of Flowers**// //**By: Kassy King, Yvonne Barriffe & Jennifer Rios**// //**UTSA IDS 3123-91J**// //**Professor: Dentith**// //**7-10-2011**// **﻿** One of the most recognized events in San Antonio, the Battle of Flowers, was born out of a desire to celebrate the nostalgia of imperialism related to the Battle of the Alamo and the victory of San Jacinto and how it has transitioned from a high cultural activity into what is today a common folk fiesta. The Battle of Flowers has grown and changed to a great extent and this paper will discuss the social, political, and economic transitions across the years.

**History**
Texas declared independence from the Mexican Government and the Texas settlers were running away from their homes and their lives that they have built in Texas because of the Mexican army. The Mexican army was advancing and burning down towns. General Sam Houston found out where General Santa Anna's soldiers were located and traveled down to the bayou but they waited the attack. Later in the afternoon, Houston's men attacked Santa Anna's soldiers while they were sleeping. The Texans were out numbered by 900 to 1200. ("San Jacinto museum," 2011) Almost twenty minutes later Houston's troops had taken over the Mexican soldiers. According to the San Jacinto Museum of History, more than six hundred Mexican soldiers were killed and over 700 were taken prisoners. Only nine Texans were either killed or seriously wounded. ("Texas State Library," 2009)
 * The San Jacinto Battle**
 * The San Jacinto Battle**

Ellen Maury Slayden had an idea of having a parade on April 21 to honor the memory of the fallen heroes at the Alamo as well as the victory at the Battle of San Jacinto, April 21, 1836. She told her friends her idea and they became the first Battle of Flowers Parade Committee. In 1914, the Battle of Flowers Parade Committee became the Battle of Flowers Association of San Antonio. The first parade was in 1891 and was moved a day ahead to accommodate the President's visit but was rescheduled due to bad weather. A couple of days later the weather cleared and carriages, floats, wagons, and bicycles decorated with fresh flowers were on the roads. Half of the participants in the parade went in one direction while the other half went in the opposite direction throwing flowers at each other like a real battle of flowers. The popularity of the parade grew into a week long celebration four years later. This celebration is such a success that it has only been canceled during the wars and in 1979 when there was an incident right before the parade was going to begin. It will continue either in rain or shine. Royalty began to appear in 1896 where the first Queen of the parade was elected and a year later a King was elected. The parade royalty did not become popular until 1909. In 1909, a group called The Order of the Alamo was developed to be responsible for the Queens' Pageant in the parade. The parade adapted to technology and in 1901, the parade had its first horseless vehicle which is the first parade to have a horseless vehicle according to the Battle of Flowers Association. This was just the beginning of changes to come in technology, economic progress, politics, community involvement, ethnic and social groups and pop culture. Through 1915 and 1916, the parade grew so much that artificial flowers were used instead of fresh ones because they began to become costly. Former presidents of the association participated in the parade in 1991 by throwing fresh flowers at each other just like the first parade (Battle of Flowers). The celebration continues to grow and today the parade consists of around forty floats, dozens of military, college, and high school bands, horse carriages, antique cars, and huge helium balloons. The Battle of Flowers is now one of many events that is celebrated in a ten day celebration known as Fiesta San Antonio. The Battle of Flowers parade is the only parade in the United States that is produced completely by women (Battle of Flowers).
 * The Battle Of Flowers**

(//Battle of Flowers//, 1910) (//Police Officer//, 1940) (Alonzo, 2009) In (//Battle of Flowers//, 1910), the majority of the spectators are of Anglo descent. The reason for this I think is the media did not want to show the south with many Mexicans. I think they wanted to show in newspapers that there are mainly Anglos in the south. As time moved on and the parade was getting bigger and better, the spectators changed as you notice in (//Police Officer//, 1940). The spectators were still mostly Anglo, but the photo shows some African Americans and Mexican Americans watching. In (Alonzo, 2009), one can notice the equally diverse group not only of ethnicity but of age too!
 * Then and Now**

When the Battle of Flowers parade first started out, it was about honoring the fallen heroes of Alamo and the victory of the Battle of San Jacinto. Today it is still about the fallen heroes of Alamo and the victory of the Battle of San Jacinto, but mostly it is about fiesta. It is a tradition celebrating our past but it has transpired into our popular culture. The Battle of Flowers parade changes themes every year. How do themes honor the fallen heros and celebrate the victory of San Jacinto battle? They don't. The parade should have more history in it. I would like to survey the spectators next year and ask why do we have The Battle of Flowers Parade and see how many really do. The parade today is a big fiesta. People from all ages and ethnicities come together to observe the parade and have a good time.
 * Folk and Pop** **Culture**

The Battle of Flowers Association has been a political force since the beginning. The elite white women of the association managed the parade over a century ago and the same type of elite white women continue to do so now. There were still probably survivors from those original battles still alive at the very first Battle of Flowers parade celebration. Survivors like Susanna Dickinson, the young wife of Alamo defender Lieutenant Almeron Dickinson and their infant daughter Angelina, as well as Mrs. Juana Navarro Alsbury, wife of Dr. Horace Alsbury, sister-in-law of Colonel James Bowie and niece of José Antonio Navarro, her son and her sister Gertrudis (American Experience - Remember the Alamo, 2004).
 * Political Aspect**

//Luncheon of the Battle of Flowers Association, 1937 Parade// []

//Battle of Flowers Association Luncheon, 1937 Parade// []

In the early years the women of the association were in total control of who participated in the actual parade.Those involved were the members of the Battle of Flowers Parade Association,The Royal Order; Veterans of the San Jacinto Battle; Politicians, Military Dignitaries, and Police. The political atmosphere at the time of the first Battle of Flowers celebration was still quite euphoric since both the Battles of theAlamo and San Jacinto were only forty-five years old. In order to maintain the momentum of solidarity attributed to the loss of their compatriots at the Alamo, and subsequently their success at San Jacinto, these women wanted to establish an event which would reinforce the sentimentality of the times.

// Reviewing Stand // **﻿** [] //[L-R] J. Coswell Hall (Grand Marshal), Brig. Gen. A.T. Ovenshine, Mayor C.K.Quin, Gov. James V. Allred, Maj. Gen. H.J. Brees, Gen. J.K. Parsons, Maj. H.R.Roberts//

//Gov. James V. Allred, 1937 Parade// []

//Gov. O'Daniel and Major General Brees, 1940 Parade// []

Initially, the white men and women attempted to institute this parade as a high cultural event. They accomplished this feat through careful planning and a very remarkable guest list, to include such dignitaries as the twenty-third President of the United States, Benjamin Harrison, Texas governors, Mayors, Congressman, Generals, and more. It was actually President Harrison who suggested that they make the parade an annual event because it would inculcate the youth with a deeper, richer sense of patriotism and historical values. Although, it was primarily an event to commemorate an auspicious occasion, intended as a nostalgic representation of their imperialistic victory as well as a folk culture event, it transformed into a mass culture event. The local Mexican flavor was inserted subtly, yet conspicuously.The Mexican Americans produced, marketed, and distributed to the surrounding population the cultural activities, musically and artistically that represented them. The elitists had to acknowledge this powerful force, therefore the ten days of Fiesta San Antonio was born.

The Battle of Flowers Parade was a time when the politically elite got together to socialize, it was a major political event at the time. While the political landscape was pallid, the populace was not. By 1895, the parade had seamlessly transitioned from high culture to low culture because the “commoners” began having side folk culture festivities. This seamlessness was due, in part to the success of the Mexican events and how their culture was being received and consumed. The underlying cultural hegemonic persuasion was waning, and entering was the liberalism of mass culture.

Today, it is a very pop and massculture event. There is little sign of political influence any longer. Actually, when persons or groups submit their requests for participation in the parade, the Battle of Flowers Association formerly stipulates that there are to be absolutely no political affiliations, references, or representations on the floats. Presently, the floats are geared towards advertisement and commercialism. Also, the only real political representation left is an event known as the "Cornyation", it is a pastiche of the Coronation of the Queen of the Parade. It is regarded as a politically satirical event which is very popular and successful within the local San Antonio community. This annual event is usually sold out immediately and the comedic sketch is performed at the Majestic Theatre. The red, white and blue as a political banner were, and still is a mighty lure, but green all the more commanding. The elitists could not deny this economic gold mine.

//**Battle of Flowers Parade, April 2011**// In the begining, the distinguished ladies of the Battle of Flowers Committee enlisted the support of fellow community leaders, such as members of the San Antonio Club. The men from the club arranged the financial matters and with this collaboration the planning and implementation began.
 * []**
 * Economics**
 * Economics**
 * Economics**
 * Economics**

Hernadez-Ehrisman (2008) found: //The ladies of the parade committee assumed that the parade could display a city that was less isolated and more modern than ever before. The parade would present a city with railroads, pavement, and streetcars that were absent only twenty years earlier. Parade organizers, like other local elites, felt that these changes benefited the city as a whole. (p. 22-23)// The progression of this technology continued. The Battle of Flowers Parade was a launching pad for other organizations to profit from. The economic impact for the city grew tremendously through the years. Community involvement originated in the very beginning with the Battle of Flowers Association women involving men’s clubs and other elite organizations to assist them in producing the parade. Presently, community involvement is demonstrated with contributions from thousands of volunteers, businesses, schools and ethnic and social groups. The Battle of Flowers Association has been a political force since the beginning. The elite women of the association managed the parade over a century ago and the same type of elite women continue to do so now.

The Battle of Flowers Parade of old and the one of the present were different but in some aspects they were the same. Community involvement was strong and all ethnic and cultural groups were involved. In the early years, there was a strong presence of Mexicans. There were almost twice as many people of Spanish surnames than Anglo Americans in the 1800’s and the Germans were third. For this reason, during the parades there were many Mexicano vendors that catered to the Anglo Americans in San Antonio and their tourists. “Vendelores” created a growing form of outdoor salesmanship, peddling products like candies, flowers, and birds" (p.29). There were even chili stands where people gathered around wood fires and sold bowls for ten cents. The custom of peddling food and goods still exists now by numerous other ethnic cultures, such as; Anglos, Germans, Afro-Americans, Italians, Greeks and others.

In the early years the women of the association were in total control of who participated in the actual parade. Those allowed to participate in the parade were the members of the Battle Flowers Parade Association, The Royal Order, Veterans of the San Jacinto Battle, Politicians, Military Dignitaries, Police and there was a usual display of some type visions of modern technology such as; in the early years, bicycles. As the years progressed, the same types of individuals were still the core of the parade but it expanded to involve businesses, universities and schools, bands, social groups, Hollywood stars as Grand Marshals, and anyone else that wanted to participate in the parade as long as a few guidelines are met and a monetary fee is paid if it applicable. Presently, there are three categories of entries, cavalcade, commerical, and balloons. Commercial floats and commercial balloons have to pay a fee. All entries need to be approved by the board of the Parade Association. The parade is so popular that on Friday, the day of the parade, most employers and schools are closed. The Battle of Flowers Parade is televised on local network stations.

According to the article in the Express in 1912:

//The turn-of-the-century Battle of Flowers parades had quickly become the foundation for Fiesta San Antonio, and these early years articulated the key social struggles in a modernizing city. The Battle of Flowers parades would represent the city, though not always in the ways organizers planned. Like other urban parades of the time, the Battle of Flowers was an intersection---an event in the economic and cultural center of the city. The parade celebrated more than Texas history. It was a space for commodities to be sold, residents and travelers to encounter each other-a place of economincsand culture exchange. In the central market space of the city, spectators and parade participants gathered in multiple, unpredictable negotiations. Surrounding the procession, street peddlers and entertainers went through the crowd; small businessmen set up stands. Parade time and space provided a site of new forms of exchange among various communities. (p. 35)// Fiesta has grown through the years and today members of Fiesta San Antonio Commission and more than 100 local nonprofit groups, stage more than 100 events over 10 days with the assistance of 75,000 volunteers. Fiesta events include three major parades; the Battle of Flowers Parade, Flambeau Parade, and the River Parade. Some events that are celebrated are St. Mary University’s Oyster Bake, Night in Old San Antonio, Taste of New Orleans in Brackenridge Park, Fiesta in Blue, Cornyation, a satirical musical review, concerts in downtown San Antonio and numerous other events throughout the city and two week period.

In an telephone interview with the Battle of Flowers Association current President Susan Terry, states, “Whatever money goes out, comes back into the Association. And the only monetary scholarships that are given out through the Association are the Oratorical contest and the Cover Art Festival winners. The Association also gives out a trophy to the winner of the Band Festival”. According to Peer, all 9,000 parade bleacher sales go back to the association. Block seat sales are given out in blocks to non-profit organizations and charities such as; churches and boys and girls of America. The proceeds are split in half with the organizations and the Association.

The Battle of Flowers Parade, The Order of the Alamo, a carnival, and other festivities throughout the city were the forerunners for today’s Fiesta. This year 2011 marked Fiesta’s 120 anniversary. The San Antonio Fiesta Commission refers to “Fiesta” as “the party with a purpose”. According to the Fiesta Commission, “Fiesta never ends because its 100 local nonprofit groups work in their communities year round, helping their neighbors. And the military organizations that take part in Fiesta are, of course, defending our country 365 days a year”. During the 11 day of Fiesta more than 3.5 million people attend the different events.

In 2007, the Fiesta Commission conducted an economic impact study. The contractor was Birchhill Enterprises and after the information was gathered, it concluded that San Antonio generated an impact of some $284 million for the local economy. It was also concluded that San Antonio received $4 million in city sales tax b﻿ecause of Fiesta. Birchhill reported that Fiesta San Antonio is the highest among the more than 50 festivals that they had studied in the previous six years.

The Battle of Flowers Parade is a mixture of pop culture and mass culture. Mass culture is how culture gets produced and pop culture is how culture gets consumed, over 100 years of this combination you get “mass produced for mass consumption”. In the early years of the Battle of Flowers Parade, pop culture was that of the Battle of San Jacinto but the celebration of this cause as diminished but with today’s modern communications and electronic media such as radio, television, internet and advertising it’s now transformed into mass culture. The middle to low class have taken the high culture “serious” out of the Battle of Flowers and made low culture “popular”. The low culture population was a driving force in making the experience accessible to everyone in high and low culture. People no longer have to pay for seats; the city allows them to camp out days before the parade to mark their spot. For some families this has been a tradition for decades. The citizens of San Antonio can thank the founders of the Battle of Flowers Association for a uniting all cultures to come to together for a common celebration.

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 * References **

Battle of Flowers Parade. Retrieved from []...... Economic Impact<<Fiesta San Antonio. Retrievedfrom [] Fiesta San Antonio. Retrieved from [] Gov. James V. Allred, 1937 Parade from [] Gov. W. Lee O'Daniel and Maj. Gen. Brees, 1940 Paradefrom [] Hernandez-Ehrisman, Laura (2008). Inventing the fiestacity: Heritage and carnival in San Antonio. Albuquerque, NM: University of NewMexico Press. Luncheon of the Battle of the Flowers Association,1937 Parade from []and h[|ttp://digital.utsa.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/p9020coll2/id/5694] Pop Culture and Mass Culture. Retrieved from [] Reviewing Stand [L-R] J. Coswell Hall (Grand Marshal),Brig. Gen. A.T. Ovenshine, Mayor C.K.Quin, Gov. James V. Allred, Maj. Gen. H.J.Brees, Gen. J.K. Parsons, Maj. H.R.Roberts []

 Alonzo, J. (2009). //Battle of flowers//. Retrieved from http://battleofflowers.org/photo-media/gallery/photos.aspx?album=Parade2009PhotoCreditJonathanAlonzo //Battle of flowers//. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://battleofflowers.org/about-us/history.aspx //[battle of flowers parade, san antonio, texas, ca. 1910]//. (1910). Unpublished manuscript, Department of Special Collections, University of Texas, San Antonio, Texas. Retrieved from [] //[police officer n. f. ackerman talks to little boy during 1940 battle of flowers parade]//. (1940). Manuscript submitted for publication, Department of Special Collections, University of Texas, San Antonio, Texas. Retrieved from http://digital.utsa.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/p9020coll2/id/4824/rec/107 //San jacinto museum of history//. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.sanjacinto-museum.org/The_Battle/April_21st_1836/ //Texas state library and archives commission//. (2009, March 06). Retrieved from http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/treasures/republic/san-jacinto.html