Schools closed and schedules were cleared as an estimated 350,000 people crowded the streets of downtown San Antonio for the annual Battle of the Flowers Parade on April 28. People decked in Fiesta medals, costumes, and Spurs gear joined a throng so thick that, according to the San Antonio Express-News, this year’s grand marshal Father David Garcia almost missed the ribbon cutting.

But despite the traffic, the festivities marched on. This year’s parade—which helped wind down ten days of Fiesta—featured 40 floats and more than 7,500 participants. The blur of color and noise made its way past thick crowds of spectators, who sought shade under overpasses or wide-rimmed sombreros, trying to keep cool in muggy 92-degree heat.

The Battle of the Flowers is one of the oldest events associated with Fiesta San Antonio, but participants still adhere to its original purpose—to honor those who fell at the Alamo. Texas Monthly headed out to the parade route to capture the faces behind the beloved parade, which turned 126 this year.

Janet Dietel, second year president of the San Antonio Conservation Society, rides in a car that has been in the parade for the past 25 years.
Photograph by Josh Huskin
Jeremiah, who is attending the parade for the second time, makes some noise as he watches the procession.
Photograph by Josh Huskin
Steve and Karen Rogers ride in the State Association of Texas Pioneers carriage. Karen, who serves as the association's Fiesta commissioner, has been going to the parade since 1974.
Photograph by Josh Huskin
Ben Apaez keeps his cool at the Battle of the Flowers Parade. San Antonio fell under a level 3 heat advisory during this year's event. Fiesta organizers put water misters, water wagons, and emergency stations along the route.
Photograph by Josh Huskin
Rudy Huerta attends the Battle of Flowers Parade in full-on Spurs attire, complete with a Spurs-themed lucha libre mask. Huerta, aside from being an avid Spurs fan, is also a life-long attendee of the Battle of the Flowers. He's gone to the parade his whole life, 37 years.
Photograph by Josh Huskin
Kiara Alonzo's brightly-hued outfit was a great fit for the parade, which isn't known for its subtlety.
Photograph by Josh Huskin
Anthony Wiseman coordinated his red shirt with a red embroidered sombrero.
Photograph by Josh Huskin
Tonie Holmes attends the Battle of Flowers parade for the fourth year in a row, this year appearing in the parade herself donned in 1920s flapper garb.
Photograph by Josh Huskin
Charlotte (left) attends her first parade with Sofia (right), who's on her second year.
Photograph by Josh Huskin
Nicholas Resendez sports a colorful sombrero and a healthy collection of Fiesta pins and medals. The medals, which are collected during the ten days of Fiesta, can be worn on sashes, necklaces, or where ever else you can stand weighing down.
Photograph by Josh Huskin
Maddy Montecillos rides in the parade for her fourth year.
Photograph by Josh Huskin
Sofia Cochran has attended the Battle of Flowers parade for over 50 years, and she's got the full vest of medals to prove it.
Photograph by Josh Huskin
Faith Rodriguez performs for the first time in the Battle of Flowers Parade. Nine high school bands rotate marching in the parade each year.
Photograph by Josh Huskin
Mel Belt (left) has been working the parade for 15 years, and Susan Altgelt (right)—this year's parade chairman—has been working the Battle of Flowers parade since 1994. The parade is the only parade in the United States produced entirely by women.
Photograph by Josh Huskin
Randy Saubaneal has been selling Fiesta Crowns at the parade since the 1970s and has never changed his $1 price.
Photograph by Josh Huskin
Tom Woodley has been attending the parade since 1980. This year, his niece was a duchess in the Battle of Flowers Parade.
Photograph by Josh Huskin
Elisabeth Uhl, Duchess of Los Picaflores; Isabelle Graham, Duchess of Delicate Nanduti Lace; and Betsy Goodman, Duchess of Inventive Madi Art pose on a parade float.
Photograph by Josh Huskin