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.
Make plans to enjoy a leisure Saturday in the park at the Music in the Park Festival on June 14 in Bowie’s Pelham Park.
Guests are invited to bring their lawn chairs and set up under the oak trees that fill the park near the amphitheater. This is the second year for this free festival as it expands to a full day hosted by the Bowie Community Center and R&K Sound Company.
The day opens with a 5K run/walk at 8:30 a.m. at the Pelham Park Pavillion. Pre-race warm-up begins at 8:10 a.m. and the race starts at 8:30 a.m. There will be first-third place winners in each age category.
Entry fee is $35 and participants receive a T-shirt. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Clear Choice Pregnancy Resource Center. Enter at the QR code on the Clear Choice Facebook page or email fourseasonsraceseries@gmail.com.
Live accoustic music opens the free festival starting at 11:30 a.m. with Corbin Woolsey, Blake Mangus, Tiffany Chandler, Sara White and Dillon Edwards. Other live music that day will include Bad Daddy Band and Bricktown Band. ZZ Texas, a ZZ Top tribute band will take the stage at 8 p.m. Live music continues until 10 p.m.
There will be food truck vendors, bounce houses (fee) and vendors. Guests are allowed to bring beer in a cooler, but no soda pop or similar drinks. There will be a $5 cooler fee.
Those with questions may call Bonnie at 940-872-4861 or Kenny at 817-704-9847.
By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
Members of the Nocona Chamber of Commerce celebrated their past year during the annual awards banquet Monday night surrounded by theme of “Roaring ‘20s.”
A beautiful array of tables welcomed guests to the annual event in the H.J. Justin Building in downtown Nocona. Longtime chamber member and local businessman Larry Lemons welcomed the group and shared his tale of the benefits of being in the chamber of commerce in humorous verse.
“If you love seeing deliberate strides in your community,” you may want to be a chamber member. He pointed to the chamber’s efforts to promote the town, welcome visitors and promote business members.
Hobie Meekins of Wells Fargo Bank was named Chamber Citizen of the Year.
Read the full story and see more photos in the Thursday Bowie News.
Top photo: The Carpenter Shop was named Organization of the Year by the Nocona Chamber of Commerce.
For the 12th year in a row Nocona celebrates the automobile with Cruisin’ Nocona on June 6-7 with a slate of events across downtown.
This event, hosted by the Nocona Chamber of Commerce, made the move from May to June in 2025, but the activities remain the same.
The festivities kick off Friday morning with registration and check-in from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the H.J. Justin Building, 100 Clay Street. That will be followed by a breakfast burrito fundraiser (by donation) benefiting Nocona Lucky Paws from 9 to 10 a.m. It is open to everyone, even those not participating in the cruise.
Chamber organizers explained due to state regulations the cruise can no longer be called a “poker run,” but it will contain a “game component” that will have the same spirit of fun as prior events as everyone enjoys the spring countryside. There will be case prizes of $200, $100 and $50 for first, second and third places.
At 11 a.m. the cruise and game begin, followed by a barbecue lunch at 1 p.m. prepared by the Nocona High School BBQ Team, also at the Justin Building. The cruise resumes at 2:20 p.m. and concludes at Nocona Beer at the Brewery by 4:15 p.m., with game winners announced at 4:30 p.m.
The evening wraps up with the Dark of the Moon Lighted Truck Convoy at 8:30 p.m., traveling down Clay Street and back to the brewery.
June 7 begins with a pancake breakfast from 8 to 10 a.m. at the Justin Building, featuring pancakes, sausage, fruit, coffee, and orange juice. The breakfast is by donation and open to anyone in the community, benefiting American Legion Riders Chapter 220.
At 10 a.m. registration opens for the Car, Motorcycle, and Working Truck Show, with judging beginning at 1 p.m. Kids can join the fun during the Power Wheels Races at 2 p.m. (vehicles must be unmodified and child-operated). The awards ceremony begins at 4 p.m. followed by a live concert by Tin Rivers.
Additional highlights on Saturday include local vendors, food trucks, shopping, and the Trucking Thru Time Rolling Truck Museum, making this a full day of fun for all ages.
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