Vikki Carr to be Grand Marshall of the 62^nd Annual Fiesta Flambeau Parade

 

Story and photos by Ramón Hernández

 

Its official, Vikki Carr is this year’s Fiesta Flambeau Parade Grand Marshall.

The announcement was made during a press conference held at the Fogo De Chao Churrascaria inside the Marriott Rivercenter Hotel this Wednesday.

Trina Guevara, FFPA’s public relations director, started the ceremony by introducing KTSA’s Elizabeth Ruiz, who in turn announced Sunny Ozuna as this year’s Honorary Grand Marshall with a rousing introduction.

This year’s theme for the night parade is “Legends in Music” and Ozuna, leader singer of Sunny and the Sunliners, will have his own float in this parade in which the spotlight will highlight the rich artistry of music.

“And I have a surprise for everyone,” he said after reminding those in attendance, he is presently celebrating his fiftieth anniversary in show business this year.

“I have invited several other music living legends to ride in my float, but I’m not going to tell you who because that’s a surprise.”

Rumor has it his guests will probably be Rene Rene, Rudy Tee Gonzales, Joe Bravo and Jimmy Edward. Whether this is the case is anyone’s guess. It may one, two or three of them or other pioneer Tejano music icons.

Major corporate sponsor Time Warner Cable was represented by Gavino Ramos and Zabrina Spindler, who were also on hand to explain their company’s participation.

Tony Alvarado, FFPA’s president, had the distinct pleasure of introducing Carr. Then she surprised and thrilled a room full of radio, television and print media reporters when she made a grand entrance dancing with two Samba Vida dancers.

Carr looked fabulous. She was very relaxed and very entertaining as she spoke at length of her love for San Antonio, her husband, their children and their grandchildren.

Following her speech, Carr and Ozuna posed with FFPA First Lady, Sylvia Alvarado and the entire. Then she accommodated everyone by posing for individual pictures followed by interviews with Ruiz and Univision television.

A surprise celebrity, who showed up to visit with Carr, was Mexican actress and recording artist Rosalinda Risso, whose father, Salvador Ángel Risso, owned many palenques throughout the country and worked with Carr for many years.

Afterwards, most of the people in attendance stayed to enjoy tasty hors d’oeuvres or rushed back to their newsroom to write their story.

According to Alvarado, this year, 700,000 to one million people are expected to attend the Fiesta Flambeau Parade – the largest parade in the world -- on Saturday, April 24.

For more information, go to www.fiestaflambeau.org, www.fiesta-sa.org or www.mysanantonio.com/fiesta/Fiesta_101_Fiesta_Flambeau_Parade.html.