The weather was perfect Friday for the 128th annual Battle of Flowers Parade, considered the founding event of Fiesta. The parade attracted thousands of spectators to the streets of downtown. "I think it's great. I see a ton of colors and classmates," said Hugo Lizarraga, a second grader at St. George's Episcopal School. "I've been looking forward to it because I want to see the crowd and everybody." The second-largest day parade in the U.S. commemorates the victory of San Jacinto and celebrates the diversity and heritage of Texas.  Over 45,000 parade seats along the parade route are sold by charities each year. The parade has entertained San Antonio every year since 1891, except during World War I and World War II. This year's parade theme is "For the Love of Texas." Parade-goers aren't the only ones who look forward to the event. Food vendors bank on big crowds hungry for a Fiesta food favorite -- chicken on a stick. "We're expecting to sell 500. Over the weekend,probably 1,000, hopefully. We sold out last year. Hopefully, we sell out this year, too," said food vendor Alicia Arcos.