Hundreds of thousands attend Fiesta Flambeau parade

Parade hailed as America's largest illuminated night parade

SAN ANTONIO – City lights and celebrations took over the streets of downtown as the Fiesta Flambeau Parade rolled through Saturday.

Although hundreds of thousands of people make it a tradition to show up every year, the event continues to bring in first-time Fiesta attendees.

"I've never been to Fiesta. I mean, I've heard about them, but they never really celebrated them in Corpus Christi, where I used to live," 12-year-old Mina Garcia said.

Mina waited hours in the hot sun to see the San Antonio tradition light up the night sky. Fortunately for her and others, there was plenty to see, do and eat ahead of the procession.

When asked what she thought about the crowd, Mina called it "ginormous."

There were also the people who go to the parade time and time again, such as Sanjuanita Astorga, who said she loves it.

"The people and the food and the sweating and finding a restroom to go to and then everybody over here is wonderful. You get to see a lot of people from all over," Astorga said.

This year's grand marshal was "Jimmy Kimmel Live's" Guillermo Rodriguez, who told KSAT 12 before the parade that he was enjoying his second time in the Alamo City.

"Everybody in San Antonio is very nice, very friendly," Rodriguez said. "They make you feel like you're at home, you know? They're so sweet."

For attendees, the creative floats, decorations, music, marching and dancing made the day worth it.

It's estimated 700,000 street spectators watched the parade. Fiesta Flambeau is hailed as America's largest illuminated night parade.

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