COUNTY LIFE
Celebrate Texas Independence at several special events across the state
The Texas Historical Commission (THC) state historic sites have arranged several free, family-friendly opportunities to celebrate the Texas Revolution of 1836.
On March 2, 1836, 59 delegates from across Texas gathered in Washington-on-the-Brazos to declare independence from Mexico and sign the official Texas Declaration of Independence. This act is only one of many legendary stories and heroes that span far beyond the Lone Star State.
March alongside costumed reenactors Feb. 25 and 26 during the annual Texas Independence Day Celebration at Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site! All visitors can explore the Texas Army camp for free to see demonstrations and experience how Texas soldiers and their families lived in 1836. There will be live music, food, musket and cannon firings, living history presentations and so much more! Take a look at the full event schedule here.
March 1836 marks the anniversary of many iconic battles across the state that shaped the Texas spirit as it is today. Fannin Battleground State Historic Site is open 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Fannin, Texas, just a few miles away from Goliad. Visitors can walk the grounds and view the impressive stone obelisk that honors the spot where Col. James W. Fannin surrendered to Mexican forces, taking a moment to remember the men who helped forge Texas’ destiny.
Join Presidio La Bahía State Historic Site on March 24 and 25 for their annual Goliad Massacre Living History Program. Experience reenactments of the events that took place leading up to the Texian departure from Presidio La Bahía, aka Ft. Defiance. The final battle of the day recreates the fighting on Coleto Creek and culminates with the Texian surrender and their march as prisoners back into the fort.
On April 1, Fire on the Brazos: The Fall of San Felipe de Austin will take visitors on an in-depth journey through the events in 1836 that led to the fall of San Felipe de Austin, the colony headquarters established by Stephen F. Austin in Mexican Texas. From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., visitors can experience reenactments of the Runaway Scrape, when colonists were forced to abandon their own homes and businesses in Texas’ economic, social, and political center of the 1820s and 1830s.
And on April 22, the iconic Battle of San Jacinto will be commemorated with reenactments, food, games, and fun at the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors will interact with reenactors as they cook, check weapons, and engage in the typical daily routine of soldiers and civilians from nearly 200 years ago.
Select THC sites now offer free “passports” for visitors to follow in the journey to Texas’ independence, revolution, and republic-era state historic sites. Interested parties can collect stamps from participating sites’ admission desks or museum stores, and if you collect all of the stamps, a very special gift will be waiting for you at the museum store.
About the Texas Historical Commission
The THC manages 36 state historic sites, the Texas Heritage Trails Program, the Texas Main Street Program, and many more heritage tourism and historic preservation initiatives across the state. For more information, visit thc.texas.gov.
From a road trip around North Texas to a colorful car show, Nocona is gearing up for its 11th annual springtime festival Cruisin’ Nocona on May 3-4 with lots of family fun activities.
Enjoy the popular Poker Cruise on May 3 as drivers travel a 120-mile trek through the countryside of Montague County enjoying several stops along the way before looping back to Nocona for lunch.
Early-bird registration is $50. Forms are available at the Nocona Chamber of Commerce office at 304 Clay St. #3 or go online to Nocona.org/events to get a form. After April 25 the cost goes up to $65.
There will be on-site registration from 9 – 10:30 a.m. that day at 915 E. U.S. Highway 82, where the cruise starts at 11 a.m. Each driver gets a goodie bag with a Cruisin’ Nocona T-shirt and ticket for the cruise lunch. Additional lunch tickets may be purchased for $20.
First-third place prizes will be awarded to the best poker hands. There will be a big truck light show at 8:30 p.m. at The V at 8:30 p.m. Friday night.
A pancake breakfast served from 8-10 a.m. at The V opens Saturday morning followed by downtown Nocona being filled with classic cars and big trucks for Cruisin’ Car Show. This is the second year to include the big trucks set up along Clay and West Walnut Streets.
Prizes will be awarded to the top 10 cars and pickups, top five motorcycles, Big Truck People’s Choice and Big Truck that traveled the farthest to the show. All makes and models welcomed to enter. Forms are available on the chamber’s website.
The car show will have registration from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Clay and W. Walnut with judging from 1-3 p.m. Awards will be presented at 4 p.m. at the H.J. Justin Building, 100 Clay.
There will be a power wheel car show from 3-4 p.m. in the Justin building. Cecil Allen Moore will entertain at the same location starting at 5 p.m.
Bowie High School staff and students celebrated its first “Signing Day” on April 25 looking on as three seniors signed their letters of intent to pursue different paths to higher education.
Principal Joanne Keeler said she was excited to present this program and show students the success they can have if they work hard and they also could be signing up for their future. She hopes to see the program expand adding more students who are planning their futures.
Jacobi McGregor signed his letter of intent to attend Ottawa University in Kansas on a powerflifting scholarship. He plans to study sports administration.
Iron Atkinson will be joining the United States Army. His grandmother Sherri Waldrop, looked on as he signed the paperwork.
Traycee Stewart, daughter of Susan and James Stewart, will attending West Texas State A&M University on a music education scholarship.
Read the full story on signing day in the mid-week Bowie News.
By BARBARA GREEN
[email protected]
Gold-Burg High School’s one-act play, “Interview,” advanced to state competition in Austin after an outstanding performance at regionals last Friday.
The Bears advance with eight other plays with a chance to take the state title on May 13. Students taking honors at regionals were Izzy Rohde who won Best All Around Female Performer. Director Linda Fitzner said Rohde is an eighth grader and they had to obtain permission for her to move up and participate in one-act.
Levi Hellinger and Barrett Allen won All Star Cast and Aidan Foster received a special individual lighting award. Jimena Garcia was honorable mention All Star Cast.
There will be a public show at 4 p.m. May 5 in the Bowie Junior High Auditorium.
For Gold-Burg this is their first time to take a one-act play to state. They have made it to regionals two or three other times, but it is the first for state.
Read the full story in the mid-week Bowie News.
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