Fiesta Flambeau or as it is commonly known, the night parade, is the largest illuminated parade in the nation.  Half a million peeps or more line the 2.6 mile route to see this parade every year. It's magic

It's difficult taking pictures at night.  One day I will take a class so I can learn my F-Stop from my shutter speed from my appeture from my mid roll change.

Fiesta is to San Antonio what Mardi Gras is to New Orleans or Carnival is to Rio. You know the parade has started when you see these guys.

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It's still daytime but we arrive for the Night Parade and find our seats. But first the race before the parade.  Follow all my Fiesta adventures here.

In the shadow of the Alamo Cenotaph... In the shadow of the old Post Office... In the Shadow of the Emily Morgan Hotel,

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Since I can't hog all the Fiesta events, I took one for the team and stayed behind at work so @piper1119 could go to her first day parade.  What follows is her Twiter stream as she posted pix of her Fiesta Experience before her iPhone died.

"On the way 2 the parade"

"Our walk"

@arios5 I'll post pics 4 u 

@arios5 yep in the bag with water 2

@foodandhowtoeat I'll try 2 get as many as I can

"Our seats"

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Day four of my Fiesta Adventure finds me at NIOSA. 

Now there is an on-going argument on how to pronounce NIOSA.  Some peeps say NYE OH SAH while other say NEE OH SAH.  I still don't know how to say it correctly but I think the latter is the preferred pronounciation.  All I know is that you get down and dirty with your fellow San Antonians.  You have to wear old clothes because someone will spill their beer on you. Guaranteed.

Pix are hard to come by when you are clawing and fighting your way to the beer booths.  Sorry for the quality but NIOSA do get a bit crowded. Dammit.

Follow all my fiesta adventures here.

Oooh check out this cool fiesta hat.

DAMMIT---Beardo nudged my elbow.

Oooh check out the anticuchos.

DAMMIT---Girl in a tube top tripped on her beer.

Oooh this fried ravioli is so good.

DAMMIT---Quit pushing frat boy and wait your turn.

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So day three of my Fiesta experience finds us at Cornyation.  The Raunchiest, Cheapest Event of Fiesta. Where the men are women and the women are men.  Yes my friends, that pretty girl on stage is most likey a drag queen.  Follow my fiesta adventures here. Last years pix are here.

Supper @ Mexican Manhattan Restaurant on the riverwalk before the show.

See this is funny because the view was the only thing good about our meal The Empire Theater

See this is funny because I still remember how the Majestic Theater stole space from this adjoining theater to make room for the helicopter from Miss Saigon.

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Day two of my Fiesta Adventure finds me at the river parade: Texas Cavaliers River Parade. It was cold. Follow all my fiesta adventures here.

In the shadow of the Weston Centre, the chilly night was made for river parade viewing.

Always these guys lead the parade, by paddle not motor. David Robinson was the Grand Marshall.

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Finally made my first event of Fiesta:  A Day in Old Mexico & Charreada.  A charreada is a Mexican Rodeo. 

Linda Ronstadt - La Charreada

At Rancho de Charro on the southeast side of town near the missions. For it was time for Fiesta Charreada.

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