WASHINGTON ON THE BRAZOS — “Texas Independence Day Celebration”—presented by H-E-B—is an annual two-day living history celebration from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, March 3 and 4, 2018 on the 293-acre Washington on the Brazos State Historic Site.
The annual celebration is held at the site where 59 delegates bravely met in 1836 to make a formal declaration of independence from Mexico. Because of that historic event, Washington on the Brazos id known as the place “Where Texas Became Texas.”
The admission-free, Texas-sized celebration features two stages of non-stop live music and entertainment; Texian Village of arts and crafts; variety of food trucks; Texas A&M University Singing Cadets; Kids History Zone; Aggieland Mariachi Band; “The Birth of a Republic” historical play about the signers of the declaration; Mount Rose Missionary Baptist Church Men’s Chorus; Brenham Children’s Chorus; Red Chanuska; Professor Gerard, The Texian Magician; Mixteco Ballet Folklorico; “Dr. Balthasar’s Medicine Show;” Celtaire String Band; Jagoda Polish Folk Dance Ensemble; Pace & Barber; Texas State Federation of Square and Round Dancers; and other entertaining, family-friendly programs.
Historical reenactors from The Texas Army—the “State of Texas Official 1836 Ceremonial and Reenactment Group”—will set up a bonafide 1836 Texas Army camp on the park grounds, where visitors can wander freely to learn how the soldiers and their families lived, and witness musket and cannon firings.
Admission fees are waived for the site’s attractions (Independence Hall; Star of the Republic Museumand Barrington Living History Farm) for the weekend celebration. Admission to the grounds, on-site shuttles and parking are also free.
The Star of the Republic Museum’s new exhibit titled “So Others Could Follow: Four Centuries of Maps That Define Texas” will open on March 3, 2018 and will illustrate through maps the evolution of Texas over four centuries under seven flags. It runs through February 15, 2019.
The event is presented by H-E-B and coordinated by the Washington on the Brazos State Park Association, with the assistance of Texas Parks & Wildlife Dept (TPWD) and The Texas Army. Washington on the Brazos State Historic Site is located at 23400 Park Road 12, Washington, TX, 77880. Contact 936-878-2214 or jon.failor@tpwd.texas.gov for more information. Updates on the TIDC schedule can be found at www.wheretexasbecametexas.org andwww.facebook.com/washingtononthebrazos/.