Revelers pack streets for Fiesta's grand finale

Entertainer Ara Celi enjoys herself as she participates in the Fiesta Flambeau Parade on Saturday, April 28, 2012. The parade website says that this is the largest illuminated parade in America. Entertainer Ara Celi enjoys herself as she participates in the Fiesta Flambeau Parade on Saturday, April 28, 2012. The parade website says that this is the largest illuminated parade in America. Photo: BILLY CALZADA, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS Photo: BILLY CALZADA, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS Image 1 of / 41 Caption Close Revelers pack streets for Fiesta's grand finale 1 / 41 Back to Gallery

The masses stretched along Broadway into the heart of downtown San Antonio on Saturday evening for Fiesta's grand finale — the Flambeau Parade.

Some had lined the route days before so they could catch a glimpse of the spectacle: the marching bands, the mariachi musicians, the horseback riders, the flag teams and the exquisitely done up floats, all of which combine to create an electric atmosphere.

Our Mardi Gras

At Grayson and Broadway, Flambeau first-timers Faith Green of San Antonio and friend Juanita Toole of Dallas came to watch Toole's daughter, Grace Toole, 16, ride on one of the floats.

“I'm shocked,” Toole said, staring at the crowd. “I didn't know San Antonio had this many people.”

Green was excited to finally have made it to Flambeau

“They say it's our Mardi Gras,” Green, 25, said.

“This is a whole 'nother level,” Toole noted.

She went to a parade held in Dallas for the Mavericks after they won last year's NBA championship.

“We had a parade, but it just doesn't compare,” Toole said.

Flambeau-ed food

On Casa Blanca between Broadway and Alamo Street, Jim and Shelley See, Paul Rodriguez and Steve Spears sold fried Twinkies.

Frank Andrade, however, made a beeline for the $1 hot dogs sold by the Rodriguez family.

These weren't just any dogs. They had barbacoa and guacamole on them, he showed a reporter, as he piled on generous amounts of chopped onion and cilantro.

“It's one of the foods you only get once a year,” Andrade, 34, said of Fiesta cuisine. “Some people come out with new ideas. You gotta try everything at least once. That's what makes Fiesta, you know?”

A novel night

For Deanna Zavala, her first time at Flambeau was more about selling than taking in. Encouraged by her boss, she had decided to try to sell some novelty items — like decorated hats and necklaces — that she had made.

She sat under a tarp that served as a sunshade near the old San Antonio Light building, attempting to sell her wares and the occasional can of soda to passersby.

“I feel very proud of myself that I know how to do something, that I've accomplished something,” she said.

Born on Flambeau

Laura De La Garza was sitting along the route by the massive Post Office downtown, waiting for the parade to get underway.

Fifty to 60 members of her family were there, having arrived about 4:30 p.m. to get everything set up for Flambeau.

There was one factor complicating their plans this year — the arrival of a new member of the family, Isaiah O. Vera.

“What a trooper, (his mother) delivered right before the parade,” she said, with a laugh.

Popcorn fan

Jon Gonzalez, 23, really knows how to get in the spirit.

This year, the theme of the parade, and the 2.6-mile Fiesta Fandango fun run that preceded it, was “Night at the Movies.” So Gonzalez ran the race in a giant cardboard popcorn box costume, his Vibram FiveFinger shoes peeking out the bottom. His uncle ran as a Coke bottle.

The Corpus Christi resident finished the race in 26 minutes — “a little slow,” he admitted. “But this race, it's not about time. It's about having a good time.”

Last year, when the theme was “Music Legends,” Gonzalez ran as Jimi Hendrix, complete with guitar.

No sun, just lights

In his everyday life, William Beverley is a loan underwriter for Wells Fargo.

During Fiesta, he works every parade as volunteer reserve officer for the Bexar County Sheriff's Office. The officers also serve warrants, patrol and help with extraditions.

Beverley, 46, said he's always had an interest in law enforcement. The parades are another requirement, he said, but they're also fun, especially the Flambeau.

Why?

“Because the sun's not out! I got so sunburned yesterday.”

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