LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
The city of San Antonio will begin celebrating its 117-year-old tradition of Fiesta on April 18. Events will run through April 27.
The city's rich, festive tradition began in 1891 as a way to honor those who fought bravely at the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto.
Fiesta is anchored by its oldest event, the Battle of Flowers Parade. It is the only parade in the country that is organized and orchestrated completely by women.
The parade is the second largest in the country, smaller only than the Tournament of Roses Parade.
The 10-day event hosts more than 100 official Fiesta events, sprinkled with several other events that can be found throughout the city.
Lackland will feature its own Fiesta Parade on April 23 at 9:30 a.m. at the Lackland Parade Grounds. The event is a basewide salute to Fiesta and its royalty. Fiesta President, John Steen Jr.; King Antonio LXXXVI, William Atwell II; and El Rey Feo LX, Fernando Reyes, will be the Fiesta dignitaries in attendance.
Every year, on the Wednesday of the 10-day fiesta session, members of the 37th Training Wing, the 59th Medical Wing and Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance participate in the parade.
The parade will also feature the 341st Training Squadron's military working dogs and their handlers, and the Military Training Instructors.
Members from joint service flights usually participate as well. The 323rd Training Squadron Drum and Bugle Corps will provide music during the parade.
"I always love to see them perform," said Adelina Carrillo, 37th Training Wing Public affairs chief of community relations. "For Fiesta they change their tune a little bit and play festive, Spanish-themed music."
This event is free and open to the public. Visitors to Lackland will have to enter the Gateway East Gate.
Lackland's ambassadors, Staff Sgt. Marsha Patin and Tech. Sgt. Timothy Bruton, will participate in more than 50 Fiesta events, highlighted by their appearances in the Battle of Flowers Parade, The Texas Cavaliers River Parade and the Fiesta Flambeau Parade.
During the Battle of Flowers Parade, a drumming contingent from the 323rd TRS Drum and Bugle Corps will march with the Texas Cavaliers, an organization that promotes horsemanship and commemorates the memory of the fallen soldiers of the Battle of the Alamo.
"The drummers will participate with the cavaliers to help them keep cadence," Ms. Carrillo said.
Lackland's 341st TRS military working dogs will also be on site at the Pooch Parade.
The 737th TRG Drum & Bugle Corps and the 341st TRS military working dogs and handlers will also perform during the Air Force at the Alamo event.
37th Training Wing Commander Brig. Gen. Len Patrick and other commanders from Lackland will partake in the solemn procession called the Pilgrimage to the Alamo, which honors the defenders of the Alamo by naming all those who fought in the battle.
"It's a lot of work, but it's a fine time," Ms. Carrillo said. "General Patrick and his wife are really looking forward to participating."