Mean Sting marches into first place award at Battle of the Flowers April 27

The Alto High School Mean Sting Music Machine (MSMM) received a first place award in the ‘Out of Town Bands’ category at the Battle of the Flowers parade held on April 27 in San Antonio. The band, under the direction of Tim Ektefai and Bria Douglas, was one of 2,500 parade entries and over 20 marching bands participating in the event.

The Battle of the Flowers parade honors the heroic spirit of the patriots of the Alamo, commemorates the victory of San Jacinto and celebrates the diversity and heritage of Texas. The parade was originally held in 1891 and with the exception of periods during World Wars I and II, has entertained onlookers every year since. Produced entirely by volunteers and non-profit organizations which helps raise funds, over 45,000 parade seats are sold each year by charities.

The 2018 theme was ‘300 Timeless Treasures’ and an estimated 350,000 people where in attendance making the Battle of the Flowers the second largest day parade in the U.S.

The parade route was approximately three miles long, beginning at East Grayson and Broadway and wound through the streets of San Antonio.

The MSMM paused in front of the Alamo, where the judges were positioned, to provide onlookers with a performance before continuing along the parade route.

On Saturday, the MSMM, band directors and chaperones had the opportunity to visit Fiesta Texas enjoying a day of fun, games and making memories. While at Fiesta Texas, the group was treated to a buffet style BBQ lunch with all the fixings and peach cobbler for dessert.