SAN ANTONIO – The Fiesta Flambeau Parade Association announced its grand and honorary grand marshal for this year’s parade.
Michael Quintanilla, a former writer for the San Antonio Express-News, is the grand marshal, the association said in a press conference on Tuesday morning.
Known locally as “Mr. Fiesta,” Quintanilla has covered fashion and pop culture for the Express-News and Los Angeles Times, and stepped in to cover the 9/11 attacks for the Times while at New York Fashion Week. He is a graduate of Trinity University.
“I have been crying all morning because I’m so happy. Why is it that we cry when we’re happy?” Quintanilla said. Quintanilla thanked the association and said the honor is a “dream come true.”
“I am lotsa grateful and appreciative,” Quintanilla said.
The parade will take place on April 27, and this year’s theme is “Lotsa Loteria.”
Angie Salinas, the CEO of Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas, is the honorary grand marshal.
Salinas is a retired Major General of the U.S. Marine Corps, the first Latina to hold that military position.
2024 marks the 100th year for Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas.
“As the only Latina to ever be a general in the United States Marine Corps, as a Tejana whose roots go back to one of the first families to receive a land grant from Spain in the mid-1700s, I am absolutely thrilled and honored to represent our Girl Scouts in our 100th anniversary in the best parade in anywhere. I am honored,” Salinas said.
This year’s Fiesta will take place from April 18-28.