San Antonio, TX is in the middle of celebrating FIESTA! Well, actually, we're on the downhill side FIESTA and tomorrow is Battle of Flowers Day. How do we celebrate -- with a parade of course. The first Battle of Flowers Parade was held in 1891 to honor the heroes of the battle of The Alamo and San Jacinto. The first parade had horse-drawn carriage and bicycles decorated with fresh flowers and the participants pelted each other with flowers. The parade has been held every year since 1891 with the exception of 1918 (World War I) and 1942 thru 1945 (World War II).
The Woman's Club of San Antonio is one organization that participates in The Battle of Flowers Parade. Each year 3 members are chosen (by the club President) to ride in the parade. The past 8 or so years, members have ridden in a Red, 1928 Ford Touring Car. This year is no exception -- the car was at The Woodward House (home to The Woman's Club) today undergoing it's transformation.
This is what the car looked like when "she" arrived at The Woodward House about 10:00 AM this morning.
This is what the car looks like tonight and during the Parade tomorrow.
Isn't "she" beautiful? All dressed up and ready to be in The Battle of Flowers Parade. :) Oh, I almost forgot the best part. I get to ride in this car in The Battle of Flowers Parade! I'm so excited, I probably won't be able to sleep tonight. We three ladies have coordinated our outfits for the day to go with the theme assigned our "float" -- "Texas Wildflowers". My hat is all decorated and ready -- a friend, Laura Sistrunk, decorated it for me this morning while I took care of some things at the Clubhouse.
Before. . .
After. . . 
:) Isn't it beautiful?!?
You'll be able to watch The Battle of Flowers Parade LIVE right here -- it'll be on from 1:00 to 4:00 PM tomorrow, Friday, April 24th -- which is Battle of Flowers Day. Oh, we're at the end of the parade -- yep, 3rd from the end (of the parade).
How very cool - I really do think that San Antonio is one of my favorite cities every -what a beautiful place to live!
Hi Liz, WOW, you got here fast! I definitely agree with you. :) It's been a very busy week with all of the FIESTA Events The Woman's Club of San Antonio is hosting -- but it has been fun. Tomorrow is the best day -- I'm so excited!
Judy, The car is just beautiful and I am sure you will look beautiful riding in it. This makes me feel even worse that I will miss it. I am leaving in about an hour but will be back Sunday. Have fun and have someone take your picture!
Howdy there Judi
That there sure is one fine lookn car. I can hear it sayn, okay fine lady's. Lets go show our selves off to The Battle of Flowers Parade watchers. That sure is also a real fine lookn hat.
Bet Y'all sure had a real fun time today.
Judi, I would have loved riding in that car too, I hope you had a wonderful time! I have always wanted to see San Antonio, I've never been there but hear it's wonderful!
Shirley, I hope you had a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! I was thinking about you. :) The parade was really fun -- rained on us a few times before the parade! Yikes!! We had gone for a walk to look at floats and visit other friends riding on floats and cars and just happened to be near the overpass so we all "scrambled" under it when the rain poured down -- a little while later it stopped and the sun was out. I got lots of pictures -- I even took pictures of some of the spectators as we passed by them!! My arm hurts from all the waving! LOL
Hey there Dale, that is a neat car!! I got to ride in front seat. It was soooo much fun!!! :)
Carole, We definitely had a wonderful time -- even when it was raining! :) Carole, I hope you can get down to San Antonio sometime for a visit -- I'd love to meet you in person. Of course, I plan to meet you the next time I go up to New Jersey to visit my daughter. Might be awhile, she's coming down here to take some classes at Univ. of Texas San Antonio this summer. It'll be nice to have her home -- I miss her.
Judi we are late getting here to follow the Fiesta update. We just know you had a great time. The car is awesome and hat is definitely Fiesta. Hope the River Parade goes well this evening. Will the Woman's Club be participating in the Rive Parade?
Carl & Ceil, There's nothing like being in the Battle of Flowers Parade! :) It was soooo much fun and I got lots of pictures to share. I even took pictures of some of the crowds -- my view of the parade! :)
The River Parade was Monday evening and the Fiesta Teen Queen and members of her court ride in it. The Fiesta Teen Queen Princess is riding in The King William Parade today. The Flambeau Parade is tonight and we do not participate in it. (The Teen Queen had a tennis tournament this weekend so the Princess has an opportunity to ride in some of the parades in her place.)
I'm getting ready to go out with a client to show properties, but will put a post about The Battle of Flowers Parade together as soon as I have time.
Judi, this looks very cool....riding in this beauty sounds even more cool. Did someone take photos of you sitting in the car!!! ;-)
Teri, it was really cool and fun riding in the car -- I got to ride in the front. And yes, I have pictures of us sitting in the car before the parade. There's a link to watch the entire parade too. I've been busy with clients and haven't looked over the pictures of the parade yet.
So where's the picture of you riding in the car? :)
Hey there, where have you been? Haven't seen you around in awhile. I had planned to write a post about the actual parade but got really busy and never had time. I may have posted pictures on Facebook, I can't remember. But here's a picture of us in the car -- just as we were lining up to start the parade.
Hey Judi, it looks like you post about as often as me! I have been so busy lately that I've had little time. I do enjoy Fiesta in SA and though have not attended in awhile, this is a very good post for Localism!
Hi Russell, I've been busy with work and working as a volunteer at The Woman's Club of San Antonio's clubhouse (The Woodward House). I'm 4th Vice President (House & Grounds Chairman) and that job keeps me very busy. So between my Real Estate business, my volunteer work and trying to keep my own house and spend some quality time with my husband, there's not a lot of extra time for blogging. Work and Husband come first. :-)
Takes a Louisiana parade pro to do such a nice parade post! I can see your Mardi Gras blood coming out.
Hi Ann, nice to see you here. Riding in the Battle of Flowers Parade was sooo much fun!!! A little different from riding in a Mardi Gras Parade -- we don't throw beads but fun fun fun!!! :)