Celebrate Texas Independence at "Independence Eve"

March 1

 

Texas Independence Day Celebration

02/26/2022 - 02/27/2022, 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

*EVENT IS RAIN OR SHINE*

Texas Independence Day Celebration” is an admission free annual two-day living history celebration from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, February 26 and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, February 27. Held on the 300-acre Washington on the Brazos State Historic Site, this celebration commemorates the 59 delegates that bravely met in 1836 to make a formal declaration of independence from Mexico and form a new nation.

After all, there is no better place to celebrate Texas independence than on the very spot “Where Texas Became Texas.”

The “Texas Independence Day Celebration” (TIDC) has two stages of live music and entertainment featuring the Brown Sugar Band, Wawel Polish Dancers, The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas dancers, Brenham Children’s Chorus, Celtaire, Buttermilk Junction, the Texas Square and Round Dancers, Enzian Baum Polka, Evelyn the Yodelin Cowgirl, Mixteco Ballet Folklorico, Music Americana: Music from the 1830s and more.

A third tented stage will be at Barrington Plantation complete with performances commonly seen in the early 1800s with Dr. Balthasar Medicine Show, Professor Gerard the Texian Magician and a traditional Punch & Judy puppet show.

Throughout both days of the event, living historians will present highlights of the Convention of 1836 including important debates, decisions and correspondence at Independence Hall. Attendees will then have the opportunity to meet the “delegates” of the Convention and learn more about the signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence.

In collaboration with the Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History, the Star of the Republic Museum will unveil a special exhibit titled “The Brazos: Legacy of a Mighty River” which explores the significance of the Brazos River and its relationship with the peoples of this region, past and present.

Activities throughout the park include a Texian Village of arts and crafts and a variety of food vendors. The Visitor Center will host a variety of authors of Texas history books including children’s literature that will be autographing books on Saturday & Sunday.

Visit an 1836 Texas Army Camp complete with historical reenactors, where visitors can wander freely, learn how the soldiers and their families lived, and witness musket and cannon firings. The Texas Army is the official 1836 ceremonial and reenactment group for the State of Texas.

The Descendants of the Texas Declaration Signers will hold an open house during the event in the conference center with refreshments, music, live and silent auctions, medallions for sale and genealogists to help those interested in learning more about their ancestry. They will host a closed luncheon from 11am to 1pm. Descendants can purchase tickets for the luncheon here.

The weekend honors the actions on March 2, 1836, when 59 delegates from all parts of the Texas settlement bravely met at Washington, Texas to make a formal declaration of independence from Mexico, proclaiming to the world that Texas was a sovereign nation. Revered as the place “Where Texas Became Texas,” the replica of Independence Hall on the Washington on the Brazos State Historic Site grounds marks the place where the Republic of Texas was created.

Admission fees are waived for the site’s attractions (Independence Hall; Star of the Republic Museum and Barrington Plantation) for that weekend celebration. Admission to the grounds, on-site shuttles and parking are also free during TIDC.

Coming from out of town? We encourage visitors to stay the night in nearby Brenham or Navasota to enjoy all the area has to offer. Some local options include Ant Street Inn, Best Western Inn of Brenham, Best Western Inn of Navasota, Hampton Inn & Suites, Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites, Red Velvet Inn
Lillian Farms, Air Bnb and VRBO.

TIDC is coordinated by the Washington on the Brazos Historical Foundation, in partnership with the Texas Historical Commission and The Texas Army reenactors. A huge thank you to your sponsors for the event: Washington County, City of Navasota, the Arts Council, H-E-B, BIG Companies, Turner Pierce & Fultz, Del Sol-Briannas, Rotary Club of Washington County, Albert and Ethel Herzstein Foundation, John Nau III, City of Brenham, Walmart and the George and Ann Butler Foundation.

 

 

Location Map (Washington on the Brazos Site)

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