‘Little Mariachi’ Mateo Lopez named 2025 Fiesta Flambeau Parade grand marshal

Fiesta Flambeau Parade to illuminate streets of downtown San Antonio on May 3, 2025

SAN ANTONIO – Mateo Lopez, known as San Antonio’s “Little Mariachi,” has been named grand marshal for the 2025 Fiesta Flambeau Parade.

The announcement was made Tuesday morning during a news conference at the Hilton Palacio del Rio by the Fiesta Flambeau Parade Association.

“I’m so excited to be the grand marshal of this year’s Flambeau Parade. It’s a big honor, and I’m really proud to represent everyone in our community,” the nine-year-old said at the news conference. “Being part of this parade means a lot to me because it brings everyone together to have fun and celebrate.”

Mateo has been performing Mariachi since he was four, and at age seven was named the world’s youngest Mariachi singer, according to Guinness World Records.

Parade officials also named the following honorary grand marshals: Chef Johnny Hernandez; artist Joe Villarreal, and Dr. Carmen Tafolla, who served as the poet laureate of San Antonio from 2012 to 2014 and was named the Poet Laureate of Texas for 2015–16.

In July, officials announced the parade’s theme and logo for the 2025 parade.

The theme, “Deep in the Arts of Texas,” features and promotes all of the arts in Texas.

The logo includes some of the arts that people may see on a road trip across the state, including the Quinta Mazatlan in McAllen, the Vaquero sculpture in El Paso, the Friendly Cowboy Western String Band in Lubbock, the “Dandelion” fountain at Buffalo Bayou Park in Houston, sandcastles in Corpus Christi and El Trompo in downtown San Antonio.

The Fiesta Flambeau Parade is known as America’s largest illuminated night parade. Last year’s parade featured 168 entries including 68 floats, bands and dance groups, and was watched by more than 1 million people in person and on KSAT’s broadcast.

Fiesta may be six months away, but you can relive some of last year’s memories.

Check out some of the photos and videos shared by KSAT Connect users of the 2024 Fiesta Flambeau Parade. You can also watch the entire 2024 Fiesta Flambeau Parade.

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About the Author
David Ibañez headshot

David Ibañez has been managing editor of KSAT.com since the website's launch in October 2000.

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