By Jasmine Gill
It is well-known that Texas has its own unique culture. Much of the culture is deeply bound to the history of Texas and its time as the independent Republic of Texas. There is a special place in Texas where this time period is preserved and celebrated — Washington on the Brazos State Park. It is the location of where the Texas Declaration of Independence from Mexico was signed and the fight for Texas independence began — where Texas became Texas.
Each year, the Washington on the Brazos State Park Association hosts a Sundown Social, which is the primary fundraiser to support Washington on the Brazos. There are four main parts to the park, according to Cyndee Smith, president of Washington on the Brazos State Park Association. There is independence hall, where the Texas Declaration of Independence was signed; the Star of the Republic Museum; Barrington Living History Farm, where the home of Anson Jones, the last president of the Republic of Texas is located; and the Fanthorp Inn, located in Anderson, which now serves as a visitor’s center.
In order to celebrate 182 years of Texas Independence, the Washington on the Brazos State Park Association is hosting this year’s Sundown Social on Saturday, April 21, at the Rockin’ Star Ranch in Brenham.
“The Sundown Social is a fun party to celebrate Texas with Texans,” says Smith.
The social will also honor the Fultz family of Navasota, according to Smith. They are longtime supporters of Washington on the Brazos Parks Association.
Come ready to boot-scoot and eat to your heart’s content. “Our entertainment will be Dale Watson and his honky-tonk band,” says Smith. “We will also have an authentic chuck wagon that prepares steaks and all the fixings including homemade cobbler in a cast iron skillet with Blue Bell ice cream.”
This event has always sold out in the past and those interested should buy their tickets as soon as possible, according to Smith. A table of eight starts at $1,500 and goes up to $10,000.
Individual tickets are $125 online at www.wheretexasbecametexas.org.
Washington on the Brazos has many other events coming up, including their Juneteenth Celebration. Juneteenth celebrates the day when Union General Gordon Granger reached Galveston and declared freedom for enslaved African Americans in Texas.
For a full list of upcoming events, visit the Washington on the Brazos website.
“Texas has a very unique, independent spirit,” says Smith. “There is a pride in every Texan and this is a gathering where we will raise money to support Washington on the Brazos and honor the 59 signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence.”
