The Washington on the Brazos State Park Association will celebrate 181 years of Texas at its annual Sundown Social on the grounds of the Rockin’ Star Ranch in Brenham on Saturday, April 22 . Proceeds will benefit Washington on the Brazos State Park Association and its educational programming, events, and maintenance of the expansive 293-acre park grounds encompassing Washington on the Brazos State Historic Site.
This fundraising event will include a gourmet chuck wagon steak dinner by Jimmy Detro and musical entertainment by the 2016 Texas State Musician recipient Joe Ely. A Lubbock native, Ely is a singer/songwriter whose music is a mixture of country, honky-tonk, and rock & roll. A good friend with native Navasotan C.B. “Stubbs” Stubblefield, Ely began his music career with performances at Stubb’s Barbeque restaurant in Lubbock, before Stubb’s moved to Austin.
The evening starts at 6pm with cocktails and appetizers, followed by dinner and music by Joe Ely. Emceed by Nick Hinze, some “truly Texan” item in the auction include a private tour of the San Jacinto Monument and Battleship Texas, a round of golf, a custom-engraved rifle, Texas décor and much more. Rockin’ Star Ranch is located at 8002 Fuelburg Pease Lane, Brenham.
“The Washington on the Brazos State Historic Site is a cornerstone of Texas history, so its preservation is essential in honoring the legacy of our state. It is important for people to know that every dollar raised directly benefits this incredible state park and that the money stays in the place ‘Where Texas Became Texas,’” says Park Association President Cyndee Smith.
Individual tickets to the Sundown Social are $125 each, and must be purchased before April 15 at (979) 830-1824 or by email through office@wheretexasbecametexas.org. Table and corporate/individual sponsorships are also available. Chairs are Washington on the Brazos Board Member Hondo Powell and his wife Carrie Cavanaugh Powell.
Dedicated to supporting the site’s preservation projects, celebrations and educational opportunities, the Association has played an integral part in the creation, expansion or reconstruction of the Star of the Republic Museum; the Visitor Center and its displays; Independence Hall; and Barrington Living History Farm. Additionally, the volunteer organization has purchased a mobile phone app; a new website for the complex; playground equipment; animals for the farm; bluebonnet and other wildflower seeds; and an important collection of historical papers and documents for the museum.
Washington on the Brazos State Historic Site is found on the Brazos River at the original town site of Washington, Texas, a major political and commercial center in early Texas. It is located at 23400 Park Road 12, Washington, TX, 77880—approximately halfway between Brenham and Navasota, off of State Hwy. 105.
For additional information about this historic site, the Park Association or The Sundown Social, call (979) 830-1824 or visit the site’s website at www.wheretexasbecametexas.org.
A preview of auction items to be featured in the event’s “Texian Treasures Auction and Raffle” can be found at the Washington on the Brazos website under the Events tab.
