Ken Heim reclined on a police cart along Alamo Plaza, his Vietnam veteran hat protecting him from the sun, which had just peeked from cloudy skies Friday morning.
Heim had traveled from Washington state for his grandson’s graduation from basic training with the U.S. Air Force at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. That event happened to coincide with Fiesta, so going to the Battle of the Flowers Parade became a must on his family’s to-do list.
Heim had unknowingly chosen to watch the parade from the Alamo Reverent Zone, the area of Alamo Plaza between Houston and Crockett streets. To show respect for the site of the 1836 Battle of the Alamo, the Alamo Trust last year set in place guidelines for parade participants in order to “restore a sense of reverence” to the area immediately around the Alamo church.
“There’s nothing like witnessing this and going in, it’s like a shrine,” Heim said. “That church is very famous to some people. Other people know nothing about it.”
At the intersection of East Houston and Alamo Plaza, Fiesta staffers wearing yellow held up signs that alerted parade participants and the public that they were entering the zone.
Following guidelines set by the Alamo Trust, parade participants lowered the music volume to 80 decibels or lower as they passed the designated area, and play only select music, such as “America, the Beautiful,” “God Bless the USA,” and Texas themed songs such as “Texas” by George Strait, “Deep in the Heart of Texas” and “Beautiful Texas.”
Parade attendees and participants stand for the United States Flag in the Alamo Reverent Zone during the Battle of Flowers Parade on Friday. Credit: Scott Ball / San Antonio Report 
Members of the Thomas Jefferson High School Army march through Alamo Plaza during the Battle of Flowers Parade on Friday. Credit: Scott Ball / San Antonio Report 
San Antonio Police Officers keep a lookout before the Battle of Flowers Parade begins on Friday. Credit: Scott Ball / San Antonio Report 
Students from the San Antonio Academy stand ready outside the Alamo to assist parade participants with tributes to the Alamo. Credit: Scott Ball / San Antonio Report 
Fiesta royalty is shrouded with confetti as they make their way through Commerce Street during the Battle of Flowers Parade on Friday. Credit: Scott Ball / San Antonio Report 
Confetti is thrown at parade participants during the Battle of Flowers Parade on Friday. Credit: Scott Ball / San Antonio Report 
The Battle of Flowers Grand Marshal, UTSA Football Head Coach Jeff Traylor, is escorted through the Battle of Flowers Parade route. Credit: Scott Ball / San Antonio Report
Most bands didn’t change their music as they turned onto Alamo Plaza, instead lowering the volume or marching silently to the rhythm of a single beat as they passed the zone.
The Alamo Trust came up with the recommendations and set them in place last year. While the Fiesta Commission and the Alamo Citizens Advisory Committee did not have a say in the recommendations, an Alamo Trust representative told the San Antonio Report the organizations were notified of the changes.
The recommendations also allow parade participants to gift wreaths and flowers as they passed through the zone as a token of appreciation for the defenders of the Alamo and all those who died there.
In the zone, only “polite and respectful” dancing and movement is permitted.
While there are no official consequences for not complying with the recommendations, they are “a request that people behave in a respectful manner as they pass the Alamo,” the Alamo Trust said in a statement.
As a San Antonio Fire Department fire truck crossed along East Houston Street, the conductor honked its horn as crowds cheered and clapped in support. As it turned onto Alamo Plaza Street, the honking stopped. A rider hopped off the truck and carried a wreath over to the area.
But not everyone is pleased with the changes.
As San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg passed by in the parade, a woman yelled, “No reverent zone! I want music!”
Nicole Martinez told the San Antonio Report that for 25 years, she and her family have watched the parade from Alamo Plaza. Before that, her paternal grandfather used to reserve the same spot.
“They closed it off. … We can’t even play music here. It’s like it’s not Fiesta.”
Martinez said attending the parade was “everything” to her, because it’s family time.
“It’s just so different now,” she said. “The Alamo has been around forever. Now they decide no one can …” she trailed off, turning to watch a marching band get quiet as it approached.
Photo editor Scott Ball contributed to this report. The Alamo Trust is a financial supporter of the San Antonio Report. For a full list of business members, click here.
