TEXAS INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION NEXT WEEKEND AT WASHINGTON-ON-THE-BRAZOS
The birthplace of Texas is making final preparations for the 188th anniversary of Texas independence.
The Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site will have two days of activities next weekend, March 1-2, to commemorate Texas’ declaration of independence from Mexico. The event will take on a different look this year due to ongoing improvements around the site as part of a multi-million dollar renovation project.
The celebration begins on Friday, March 1st with an “Independence Eve” concert featuring Nashville recording artist Glen Templeton at the outdoor amphitheater. Gates open at 6 p.m., and the opening band, Drifters and Grifters, will take the stage at 6:45 p.m. They will be followed by Nite Moves at 8 p.m. and Templeton at 9:30 p.m.
Admission to the concert is free, and food and drinks will be for sale. Guests are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets to sit on the lawn, as there is limited seating in the amphitheater. No coolers or outside food and drinks are allowed. A limited number of VIP tickets are available for $75 and include a fajita meal, tent seating, a private bartender and a meet and greet with Templeton after the concert.
Saturday, March 2nd will kick off with opening ceremonies at 9:30 a.m., honoring the 59 signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence on March 2, 1836.
At 10 a.m., members of Texas Historical Commission sites from around the state will gather to compete in a chili cook-off, making their dishes in the traditional way that Texans would in the 1800s. At 1:30 p.m., the Lone Star Chapter of the Sons of the Republic will hold their annual ceremony at the amphitheater with talks and a gun salute.
Admission fees will be waived for the Barrington Plantation. Food trucks will be onsite.
To learn more about the plans for Texas Independence Day weekend, go to https://wheretexasbecametexas.org.
KTEX-106’s Eilish will be at Washington-on-the-Brazos for Friday’s concert, broadcasting live from the KTEX Country Cruiser.