float
Briefcase Brigade
Top photo: From last year's parade, Mr. and Ms. UTSA 2008, Daniel
Bernal Jr. and Jessica Beamer
Bottom photo: UTSA College of Business Briefcase Brigade
(Photos by Mark McClendon)

UTSA joins in Battle of Flowers parade April 24

By Omar Hernandez
Public Affairs Specialist

(April 24, 2009)--UTSA will be part of the Fiesta excitement during the Battle of Flowers Parade beginning at 12:45 p.m., Friday, April 24 in downtown San Antonio. Mr. and Ms. UTSA, Akshay Thusu and Megan Graham, the UTSA cheerleaders and head football coach Larry Coker will show school spirit on a parade float with the theme "Supporting Our Roadrunners."

Additionally, faculty and staff members from the UTSA College of Business will perform as the Briefcase Brigade, a favorite of parade goers. Last year, The Briefcase Brigade won first place in the parade's amusements category and the UTSA float won third place in the education and civic category.

>> Watch a YouTube video of a Briefcase Brigade rehearsal.

Seating for the Battle of Flowers parade is $18 for Alamo grandstands, Cenotaph stands, $15 Alamo Street bleachers-north (Travis/Houston) -- Alamo Street bleachers-south (Crockett/Commerce) and Plaza bleachers; and $12 for Maverick and Broadway bleachers.

Tickets are available at The Fiesta Store, 2611 Broadway. For street chair information, call (210) 227-5191 or visit the Fiesta San Antonio Web site. For parade information, visit the Battle of Flowers Web site.

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About the Battle of Flowers Parade

The first Battle of Flowers Parade was in 1891 to honor the heroes of the Alamo and to commemorate the Battle at San Jacinto, April 21, 1836, where Texas won its independence from Mexico. Despite rain that postponed the parade for four days, a group of determined San Antonio women made the colorful "flower battle" a success.

The parade has entertained San Antonio every year except during World Wars I and II and is recognized as the founding event of Fiesta San Antonio. The parade was the first major celebratory event to take place on Alamo Plaza. It is sponsored by the Battle of Flowers Association, a nonprofit and women's civic organization chartered in 1914 to celebrate Texas history. Remembering the heroes of the Alamo has remained the focus of the parade, and participants are asked to bring a floral tribute to be placed on the lawn in front of the Alamo.

The theme of this year's Parade is "Hats Off to Texas," a celebration of past memories and future expectations.