McDonald’s characters announced as Fiesta Flambeau Parade’s honorary grand marshal San Antonio’s Flambeau Parade is the largest illuminated night parade in the United States
SAN ANTONIO – Ronald McDonald and his cast of friends were announced as the 2026 Fiesta Flambeau Parade’s honorary grand marshal during a Wednesday press conference.
Ronald, Birdie, Hamburglar and Grimace will join SeaWorld San Antonio’s Shamu and Crew during the April 25 parade through downtown San Antonio.
San Antonio’s Flambeau Parade is the largest illuminated night parade in the United States.
>> Fiesta Flambeau Association announces nostalgic new theme for 2026 parade
The press conference was held at a McDonald’s in the 9600 block of Interstate 10.
A spokesperson for the association called the role of honorary grand marshal “a true American icon.”
“We are thrilled for this opportunity to collaborate with the heritage and tradition of the Fiesta Flambeau Parade,” said Ned Stagg, a representative of the more than 120 McDonald’s restaurants in San Antonio.
This year’s parade theme is “Adventures in Toyland. Shamu and Crew was announced as the Flambeau grand marshal in November.
Read more Fiesta 2026 coverage from KSAT:
Copyright 2026 by KSAT - All rights reserved.
About the Authors Misael Gomez headshot
Misael started at KSAT-TV as a photojournalist in 1987.
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