As it celebrates 100 years of education and excellence, San Antonio College made its first appearance in the city’s 135th Battle of Flowers Parade Friday as the college’s float and fiesta court rolled past hundreds of thousands of spectators downtown for the beloved Fiesta tradition.
The Battle of Flowers was founded in 1891 by a group of women volunteers. Inspired by the flower parades held in Spain, Congressman James L. Slayden’s wife, Ellen Maury Slayden, conceived the idea of a citywide event to remember the fallen heroes at the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto. The event remains female-operated to this day.
SAC has participated in the Flambeau Night Parade for many years; however, this is the first year the school has been a part of the Battle of Flower Parade.
“Since it’s our centennial, we decided to do both parades.” SAC President Dr. Francisco Solis told the Sundial.
To President Solis, celebrating the school’s centennial in any way was important. “We’re trying to do a lot of things we’ve never done before,” Solis told the Sundial.
“This year’s float has the first Royal Court for San Antonio College. I think it’s a great opportunity for us to celebrate our centennial year.”
Accompanying President Solis and his husband, Gerry Solis, on the float were three of the SAC 2026 Fiesta Court: Ambassador and Salma Flores, Monarch Destiny Garcia and Sovereign Rayshunda Dawson.
This is the first year the school has had a court.
“I’m excited to be a part of this history-making moment,” Dawson told the Sundial. “In 100 years, when they’re (students) looking back, it’s going to be our faces and hundreds more.”
With Fiesta’s centuries-long history, the three-week event holds special meaning for everyone who attends.
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Festivalgoers pose with their dog during the Battle of Flowers Parade.
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Members of Escaramuza Rosa de Castilla ride horses past the crowd during the Battle of Flowers Parade.
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A member of Methodist Children’s Hospital holds down a Mr. Potato Head balloon during the Battle of Flowers Parade.
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A member of Alamo Heights High School marches during the Battle of Flowers Parade.
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A member of the Alamo Heights High School Student Council marches alongside the “Mythical Reef” float during the Battle of Flowers Parade.
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A member of the League of United Latin American Citizens Council No. 2 sits and waves atop the “A Secret Garden” float during the Battle of Flowers Parade.
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A member of the Cornerstone Christian Schools “Warrior Marching Band” plays the saxophone while marching during the Battle of Flowers Parade on Friday.
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A festivalgoer pops a cascarón on a family member’s head during the Battle of Flowers Parade on Friday.
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A spectator walks down the street while their dog rides in a stroller during the Battle of Flowers Parade on Friday.
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A street vendor sells flower crowns during the Battle of Flowers Parade on Friday.
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A member of John Jay High School marches during the Battle of Flowers Parade on Friday.
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A member of the Alzafar Shriners waves to the crowd during the Battle of Flowers Parade on Friday.
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A member of the Order of the Alamo points to the crowd during the Battle of Flowers Parade on Friday.
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A member of Image Dance waves toward the crowd aboard the “Dreams of Dancing” float during the Battle of Flowers Parade on Friday.
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A member of the Battle of Flowers Association Alamo Honor Guard stands at attention honoring those who died during the Battle of the Alamo.
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A member of Danzavida de San Antonio Dance Company waves toward the crowd during the Battle of Flowers Parade on Friday.
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A member of Danzavida de San Antonio Dance Company marches past the crowd during the Battle of Flowers Parade on Friday.
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A festivalgoer poses for a photo while her child reaches for a bite of a paleta during the Battle of Flowers Parade.
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A group of festivalgoers pose for a photo during the Battle of Flowers Parade on Friday.
Destiny Flores said Fiesta means, “mainly love and community, especially in our climate right now … It’s sometimes full of hate.”
“So just to be able to celebrate with so much of our community, especially by San Antonio College … It’s such a great thing to celebrate together with friends and new colleagues.”
As the SAC float made its way through downtown, the celebration represented more than a parade appearance. For the college’s first Fiesta court and the thousands watching along the route, it marked the start of a new tradition.
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