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Traditions By Lisa Ellington
An event as big and popular as Fiesta comes with many traditions – some so beloved that it wouldn’t be Fiesta without them. The cascarón, the confetti-filled decorated eggshell, is recognized as the symbol of Fiesta. A giant cascarón is part of the opening ceremony for Fiesta each year. The group of volunteers that make Fiesta happen are even called the “Order of the Cascarón.” Throughout Fiesta, revelers crack the eggs over the heads of unsuspecting friends, spilling confetti into their hair and declaring “Viva Fiesta!” A Night in Old San Antonio (NIOSA), whether you pronounce it “knee-oh-suh” or “nye-oh-suh,” is Fiesta’s ultimate heritage and diversity fest that began as a small fundraiser for the San Antonio Conservation Society. Spread
throughout historic La Villita, it has become one of the most popular events of Fiesta representing the many cultures and ethnicities of the city. The Battle of Flowers Band Festival at Alamo Stadium, also called the “battle of the bands,” involves area high school bands competing for top honors. With music, marching and twirling, this competition is a showcase of Texas talent. Cornyation, first staged in the early 1960s, pokes fun at Fiesta royalty, local politics and people who make the headlines. The flippant and always irreverent show met its demise for a few years but it was revived in 1982. It’s now a popular, though still raucous, part of Fiesta. The Asociacion de Charros de San Antonio has been upholding the art and tradition of the char-
ros for more than 60 years with A Day in Old Mexico & Charreada, held at a local charro ranch. The Charreada combines culture, skill and tradition through competitive team events in riding or roping. Medal trading has become a growing Fiesta tradition. Unique and artistic medals are given out by dignitaries, Fiesta royalty, community groups and individuals. Residents and visitors alike have become adept at scoring hard-toget Fiesta medals or pins and take pride in wearing their collections throughout the celebration. ■
left: Fiesta Court members, from left, Erica Gonzaba, Vanessa Cobarrubias and Tina Cuellar crack cascarones on each other’s heads during the Fiesta opening ceremony April 15, 2005 at Alamo Plaza. BAHRAM MARK SOBHANI/San Antonio Express-News
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above: A character wearing a George W. Bush mask dances during Cornyation, April 24, 2007, at the Empire Theatre. BAHRAM MARK SOBHANI/San Antonio Express-News
top left: Members of the Air Forces’ Band of the West stand at attention prior to the start of the Fiesta event, Fiesta in Blue, at Trinity University’s Laurie Auditorium on April 22, 2003. The performance paid tribute to Texas and to the 100th year of powered flight. KIN MAN HUI/San Antonio Express-News
bottom left: Rene Roberts adjusts his headdress backstage during Cornyation on April 24, 2007 at the Empire Theatre. Roberts was an attendant of the Queen of the International Border Crossing of Miss Apocalipstick. BAHRAM MARK SOBHANI/ San Antonio Express-News
opposite: The historic Charline McCombs Empire Theatre was the setting for this 2002 Cornyation XXXVII 2002 on April 23, 2002. BILLY CALZADA/San Antonio Express-News
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top: Miss Fiesta San Antonio 2007 Samantha Garcia dons her crown before heading out for the opening day of Fiesta, April 20, 2007. HELEN L. MONTOYA/San Antonio Express-News
bottom: Balloons signal the end of the Fiesta San Antonio Kick Off 1998 ceremony and the beginning of Fiesta at the Alamo. ROBERT McLEROY/San Antonio Express-News
top left: Members of the Texas Cavaliers present the flags of Texas during the Investiture of King Antonio Joey Peacock for Fiesta 2007, at Alamo Plaza. Bob Owen/San Antonio Express-News
top right: Fiesta San Antonio 1999 officially started on April 16 in Alamo Plaza. Revelers include Aurora V. Martinez, far left (wife of Pete Martinez) King Antonio Bruce Hill and Rey Feo Pete Martinez (far right). Mistress of Ceremonies Elizabeth Ruiz is at podium. ROBERT MCLEROY/ San Antonio Express-News
bottom: Confetti and streamers fall on Yslette Arispe and other members of the Fiesta Court during the Fiesta opening ceremony April 15, 2005 at Alamo Plaza. BAHRAM MARK SOBHANI/ San Antonio Express-News
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above: Dyed eggshells filled with confetti need only to be sealed with tissue paper to become cascarones. BILLY CALZADA/San Antonio Express-News
right: A trombonist for the New Orleans Pinstripers Brass Band proudly marches before the Alamo during opening ceremonies for Fiesta in Alamo Plaza, April 19, 2002. BILLY CALZADA/San Antonio Express-News
far left: Children grab for cascarones before ceremoniously cracking them over each other’s heads at the Fiesta San Antonio Official Opening Ceremony April 18, 2007 in front of the Alamo. BAHRAM MARK SOBHANI/San Antonio Express-News
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above: Muggs in his Fiesta regale, shot April 15, 2002. KEVIN GEIL/San Antonio Express-News
left: Pippi, a chihuahua owned by Dr. Olga Jaimez, is seen at the Fiesta San Antonio Official Opening Ceremony April 18, 2007. BAHRAM MARK SOBHANI/San Antonio Express-News
far left: Amanda Martinez,18, with Mariachi del Pueblo under the direction of Juan Ortiz waits on the steps near the river walk with other members of the mariachi group, April 24, 2007. The mariachi festival was canceled in 2007 due to rain. DELCIA LOPEZ/San Antonio Express-News
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left: Sylvia Aguilar, left and Jennifer Hsu, right, celebrate after a shot by Hsu while The Holly Golightly Club practices for the Sticky Wickets Croquet Tournament at Victoria’s Black Swan Inn, March 24, 2007. Bob Owen/San Antonio Express-News
Opposite top: Contestants in the Most Beautiful Hat category including Rosemary Sundeen, from left, Courtney Barajas, Orbilia Hayes, and Graciela Carrillo wait to walk the runway during the The Woman’s Club of San Antonio’s Fiesta Luncheon, Fashion Show and Hat Contest at the Marriott Riverwalk, April 24, 2007. LISA KRANTZ/San Antonio Express-News
opposite middle left: Lindsey Cowey, Miss Fiesta 2004, attends the Fiesta Luncheon, Hat Contest and Style Show at the Westin Riverwalk Hotel, April 24, 2006. ROBERT McLEROY/ San Antonio Express-News
opposite bottom left: Anna Liesman looks over the program during the Fiesta Luncheon, Hat Contest and Style Show in 2006. ROBERT McLEROY/San Antonio Express-News
opposite bottom right: Kathy Littlefield looks over the silent auction tables during the Fiesta Luncheon, Hat Contest and Style Show in 2006. ROBERT McLEROY/San Antonio Express-News
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above: Raul and Gloria Salas, stake their claim on prime parade watching land on April 21, 2005. The Salas family has been setting up camp for the Fiesta parades in the same spot since 1979. They bring out their own bleachers and chairs and rent portable toilets for the parades. San Antonians begin staking out parade spots as early as February, when they begin to mow plots of land and kill off fire ants. Many of the families have been camping out each year for more than a decade. HELEN L. MONTOYA/San Antonio Express-News
left: A collection of Fiesta medals. JUANITO GARZA/San Antonio Express-News
far left: In typical fashion, the Fiesta Hat King (Cal Sumner) adorned with his colorful hat, hands out pins to Fiesta participant Lupe Rodriguez at the annual Fiesta Kickoff event at the Alamo, April 19, 2003. KIN MAN HUI/San Antonio Express-News
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