The Business' Behind SA's 2021 River Parade

The local real estate community joined in with the rest of the local business community to sponsor the 2021 San Antonio Texas Cavaliers' River Parade. As part of the legendary annual San Antonio Fiesta festivities, the parade has supported local children's charities since 1989. This colorful and vibrant parade not only lights up the downtown riverwalk with lights and music entertaining over 250,000 spectators each year. King Antonio, the Cavaliers, and their generous supporters generated over $1 million for local children's charities this past year. The parade would not have been possible without the generous support of the Texas Cavaliers, local businesses, and individual donors.

Filled with bright, illuminated floats floating down the world-famous Riverwalk, this is hometown pride and community spirit at its best. Bringing individuals, community groups, and local companies to participate in the festivities. 

The Parade Float Sponsorships

Each year, the Texas Cavaliers River Parade features more than 45 decorated floats, each dedicated to a different city, military or charitable organization. Sponsoring a parade float is an exciting way our local businesses can have fun and raise awareness for charitable causes. 

Check out some of this year's sponsors and floats: 

First up, Texas Cavaliers' King Antonio XCVIII himself, Phillip Peacock Bakke. Phillip is president and CEO of Bakke Development Corp., founded in 1996; over the years, he has built hundreds of thousands of square feet of multi-family, retail, and self-storage projects in the San Antonio metro area, the Hill Country, and South Texas. Learn more about the Texas Cavaliers and Phillip Bakke here.

A fan favorite for everyone is the Military Ambassador float sponsored by the iconic Whataburger this year, headquartered here in San Antonio, Texas.

The Order of The Alamo float was sponsored by the Nelson Puett Foundation, which has awarded scholarships to young people pursuing a college education for many years. The Puett family founded the foundation and founded Nelson Puett Real Estate, located just up the Interstate in Austin, Texas. Learn more about Nelson Puett Real Estate here. Founded by San Antonio businessmen and community leaders in 1909, The Order of the Alamo celebrates Texas’ heroic struggle for independence from Mexico.

Let's not forget my personal favorite in the event is the Rey Feo Scholarship Program float. It features this year's Rey Feo LXXII, Thomas Aguillon, and his Royal Court's float sponsored by CBRE, another major commercial real estate player in the San Antonio area. However, I could be biased as my husband served on the Royal Court of the unprecedented two-year reign due to Covid-19. Rey Feo's float also carries my two favorite Queens Reina de la Feria de las Flores 2021 Gabrielle Uribe and La Reina Linda VII Leticia Garza Learn more about Thomas Aguillon and the Rey Feo Scholarship Program here. Learn more about CBRE here.

The Rey Feo Consejo Educational Foundation floats down the river just ahead of Rey Feo LXXII and his Royal Court. Rey Feo Consejo Educational Foundation was founded in 1982. Learn more about the foundation here.

The Girls Inc. of San Antonio float, sponsored by JBR Holdings, is another one near and dear to my heart as my daughter served as a volunteer with the organization each summer as a high school student. Girls Inc. of San Antonio helps girls ages 6 to 18 overcome barriers that prohibit them from achieving their personal, educational, and career goals; learn more here. JBR Holdings, founded by J.B Richter, Jr., specializes in acquiring and developing Commercial Real Estate throughout San Antonio and the South Texas markets; learn more here.

Espada Real Estate sponsored the UT Health San Antonio float. You can learn more about UT Health San Antonio school and their nearly 70 degree program offerings here. Espada Real Estate is a diversified commercial real estate development and investment company with deep roots in San Antonio and South Texas; learn more about them here. As Espada’s property tax representative, I was delighted to cheer this float on its journey.

Trinity Real Estate Finance, Inc sponsored the Beethoven M?nnerchor float. The purpose of Beethoven M?nnerchor is to preserve German songs, music, and language. It is one of the oldest German singing societies in Texas; learn more here. Trinity originates and services mortgage loans for all types of income-producing real estate with concentrated efforts in Texas; learn more here.

Joeris General Contractors sponsored the 100 Club of San Antonio float. The 100 Club of San Antonio supports the needs of surviving dependents of our law enforcement and fallen firefighting heroes; learn more here. It's hard to drive through our city without seeing a commercial construction site flying a Joeris banner. Founded by Leo Joeris in 1967, Joeris has been building Texas with a sense of passion and purpose more significant than just the physical structures they construct; learn more here.

The San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce float was sponsored by IBC Bank. SAHCC prides itself in propelling business success and impacting San Antonio's military installations, infrastructure, economic development, workforce, and more. IBC Bank, heavily involved in the local commercial real estate community, was founded in 1966 to meet the needs of small businesses in Laredo, Texas. Today, it serves as the flagship bank of International Bancshares Corporation; learn more here.

Texas A & M University in San Antonio float sponsored by Cushman Wakefield. TAMU - San Antonio supports over 30 Undergraduate and Graduate programs; learn more about Jaguar excellence here. Cushman Wakefield is a global commercial real estate company with a robust presence in the San Antonio market; learn more here.

Of course, it wouldn't be a San Antonio parade without a Spur's themed float, seen here featuring the St. Jude Ranch for Children. St. Jude’s Ranch for Children, cares for children and families who have been affected by trauma, abuse and neglect, and have been removed from their homes by the Department of Family and Protective Services, learn more here.

No matter how much fun we’re having, all good things must come to an end, so until next year, Viva Fiesta!