2016 Battle of the Flowers Quilt and Fiesta Poster

78209 Nov 2015 - Around 09 Battle of Flowers Quilt
The 2016 Fiesta Poster

The official 2016 Fiesta poster was recently unveiled on October 15. The 2016 poster commemorates the 125th anniversary of Fiesta. Of the 57 submissions from local artists to the Fiesta San Antonio Commission’s annual poster contest, local artist and art teacher, Resa Groff Wohlrabe’s design was selected.

125th Fiesta Poster 2016

Groff Wohlrabe says her art was inspired by the colorful movement of Fiesta. “Knowing that 2016 would be a special year for the 125th anniversary, I surrounded myself with items that I had gathered from past Fiesta events,” Groff Wohlrabe said. The fluid movement of the folklorico dresses with colorful patterns; the combination of medals against sashes; the ribbons, flowers and fun creativity of custom hats; and the glistening crowns of royalty—all began to manifest themselves on the canvas as she painted. The result is a combination of everything that makes up the occasion.

The official 2016 Fiesta poster and poster merchandise (t-shirt, limited edition medal and more) are available for sale online (www.fiesta-sa.org) and at The Fiesta Store®

The Battle of the Flowers Quilt

78209 Nov 2015 - Around 09 Battle of flowers - L-R, Top to bottom, xx, Lynn Ziegler, xx, Rosemary KowalskiBattle of Flowers Association President Lynn Ziegler and Battle of Flowers Parade Chairman Anna-Laura Howell Block announced on October 13 The Battle of Flowers 2016 Parade theme, “Texas Traditions…125 Years!”

It was Texas women that created, organized and staged the first Battle of Flowers Parade in 1891. Celebrating Texas women who have made their mark on our community, Parade Chairman Anna-Laura Howell Block announced Rosemary Kowalski as the 125th Anniversary Parade Marshal and General Angela Salinas as 2016 Honorary Grand Marshal.

“Here is some food for thought,” announced Block as she introduced Kowalski to some 250 guests gathered for the announcement at the San Antonio Garden Center. “Our 125th Anniversary Grand Marshal has served gin and tonic to the Queen of England, served breakfast, lunch and dinner to Pope John Paul II and will be celebrating 70 years in the food service industry bringing international recognition to San Antonio as a culinary destination.”

Serving as the 2016 Battle of Flowers Parade Honorary Grand Marshal is General Angela Salinas. Having served honorably in the U.S. Marine Corps for 39 years, General Salinas has earned the distinction as the longest serving woman in the history of the Marine Corps, the senior ranking woman and the senior ranking Hispanic in the Corps at the time of her retirement in 2013.

In her current position as Chief Executive Officer of the Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas, she oversees the business and activities of nearly 30,000 girl and adult scout members in a 21-county area. As a Girl Scout alumna, she is a role model to girls and women seeking to break through the glass ceiling.

An official 2016 parade and band festival medal, wild flower pin and 125th anniversary logo were also unveiled. Stuart Seal, an international award-winning graphic designer and well-known San Antonio artist, created the logo featuring Texas wildflowers that have been depicted on the Battle of Flowers wildflower pins dating back to the association’s 100th anniversary celebration, where the first pin was introduced.

78209 Nov 2015 - Around 09 - Battle of Flowers Lynn Ziegler and xx

The logo pays tribute not only to the wildflowers of Texas, but to the Battle of Flowers long-standing tradition of placing a tribute of fresh flowered wreaths at the Alamo to honor those that gave their lives to gain Texas independence.

This year’s wildflower is the Flame Antelope Horn, named for the seedpods that mimic the horns of an antelope. The leaves of plant are the primary food source for the Monarch caterpillar and the flowers provide nectar for the adult butterfly that is crucial in its migratory flight through Texas each year.

The design has also been emblazoned on limited edition scarves that will be available for purchase. A 125th anniversary commemorative cookbook featuring a history of the parade, vintage parade photos and family recipes from Battle of Flowers Association members that have been passed down for generations will also be on sale. Both commemorative items will be available for purchase while they last at Julian Gold, 4109 McCullough in Olmos Park.

As the only parade in the United States produced entirely by women, all of whom are volunteers, the Battle of Flowers Association has supported the educational, artistic, social and philanthropic achievements of their community’s youth with sponsorship of parade entries for area high schools, parade and band festival art contests, essay contests for area teens, collegiate oratorical competitions, band competitions, children’s charities parade watching celebrations and by affording nonprofit organizations the opportunity to raise funds for worthy causes with over 45,000 parade seats sold by charities along the parade route each year.

The Battle of Flowers Parade will take place on Friday, April 22, 2016 with a vanguard procession at 11:45am and parade stepping off at 12:15pm.

For more details check out the Battle Of Flowers website at www.battleofflowers.org

 

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