History

On June 19, 1865, Union Major General Gordon Granger read General Order #3 to the assembled people in Galveston, Texas.

The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free . . .

Today, this historic event is celebrated around the world as not only an African-American independence day, but as a celebration of the culture, the history and the countless contributions made by people of color to the world. For more information, please read my post from last year, Juneteenth in Texas.

Texas Celebrations

June 8-19, 2008 - Celebrate Juneteenth where it began, in Galveston. This huge Juneteenth event includes a Jubilee parade, picnic, prayer services, musicals, educational exhibits, demonstrations and more. Please visit the Juneteenth website for more information.

June 14, 2008 - Elgin celebrates Juneteenth on the second weekend in June with a parade, pageant, dance and festival. The events take place in downtown Elgin at the Veterans’ Memorial Park. For more information, contact Byron Mitchell at 512-281-9582 or the Elgin Chamber of Commerce.

June 19, 2008 - The George Bush Presidential Library in College Station hosts Freedom’s Legacy: Drumbeats of African American Heritage. The Annual Freedom Walk will depart from the Lincoln Center at 9am en route to the George Bush Presidential Library & Museum. A free storytelling celebration will be open to the public from 10:30-11:30am featuring Elizabeth Kahura, Storyteller and Educator.

June 19, 2008 - Attend a Gulf Coast Juneteenth in Hermann Park in Houston at 7pm. This concert merges creole and cowboy culture, zydeco and gospel music, with a mix of blues, jazz and deep southern soul. The concert features the ReBirth Brass Band, Geno Delafose and French Rockin’ Boogie, Sherman Robertson and Trudy Lynn.

June 20-21, 2008 - San Marcos, Texas hosts the oldest known annual celebration of the ending of slavery. Festivities include an old fashion picnic, BBQ cook-off, and festivities for the entire family. Saturday activities will be held at San Marcos Plaza. For more information, contact Harvey Miller at (512) 396-4903. For BBQ cook-off (Saturday) information, please contact David Peterson (512) 738-2583.

June 20-21, 2008 - Denton Juneteeth Celebration includes beauty pageants, gospel extravaganza, BBQ Cookoff, co-ed softball and basketball tournaments.

Other Ways to Celebrate

This year, we have a Black democratic candidate for the President of the United States. Read the story of Barack Obama and his journey towards the White House.

Read the Buffalo Soldiers Tribute. Did you know the Black soldiers were nicknamed “buffalo soldiers” by the Cheyenne Indians out of respect and acknowledgment of the fierce fighting ability of the 10th Cavalry?

Explore Black Cowboys on the Internet. Did you know that The character, Joshua Deets, portrayed by Danny Glover in the movie Lonesome Dove,i s based on Bose Ikard. Bose rode with both Oliver Loving and Charles Goodnight.

Juneteenth * Remember * Celebrate * Learn * Discover

Tags: Juneteenth, June 19th, emancipation day

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Memorial Day

Honor and Appreciate their Sacrifice on the Field of Battle.
Most of All, Remember Them Today.

Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for those who died in service to our country. Congress declared Memorial Day a national holiday in 1971, to be celebrated on the last Monday of May. About 5,000 people attend the Memorial Day ceremony at the Arlington National Cemetery each year. A small American flag is placed on each grave and the President lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Ways You Might Celebrate Memorial Day:

• visit cemeteries and war memorials and place flags or flowers
• attend Memorial Day parades or your local VFW hall
• fly the US flag at half-staff until noon
• add the POW/MIA flag to your flagpole
• submit a eulogy
• participate in National Moment of Remembrance at 3 PM (local time)
• view the National Memorial Day Concert

Decoration Day

Originally know as Decoration Day, it is believed that Memorial day started in the United States after the Civil War to remember fallen Union soldiers. This might be true, because eight southern states still hold a separate memorial day for fallen Confederate soldiers.

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Buc Days

Corpus Christi, Texas
April 22-May 4, 2008

During the War of 1812, Jean Lafitte and his band of pirates helped General Andrew Jackson and his troops defend New Orleans against the British. For this service, U.S. President James Madison gave Lafitte a full pardon for his crimes of piracy. Legend has it that Jean Lafitte then moved his band of pirates and established headquarters on the present site of Corpus Christi.

Buc Days Celebration begins on Friday, April 25, 2008 at 6 pm when the Pirate Queens sail into the Yacht Basin and capture the mayor. The mayor surrenders the city and the pirates raise their flag, complete with skull and crossbones, over Corpus Christi. Buc Days includes an illuminated night parade, PRCA Pro rodeo, BBQ challenge, Folklorico competition, carnival, Music and Fire on the Bay, 5k Run, live music and, new for 2008–Bikes, Bulls & BBQ . . . Check out the schedule of events.

So, start practicing your pirate talk. Arrrr, Matey!

For RV parks in the Corpus Christi area, please visit the TACO website.

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April 11-13, 2008

25th Annual Bluebonnet Festival

Burnet, Texas

Plan to arrive at the historic square in Burnet in the afternoon and take the kids to the carnival or visit the arts and crafts vendors on the historic square. At 530 pm, there will be a Confederate Air Force fly over, followed by a pet parade and a street dance with live music.

Saturday, you may enjoy a cowboy breakfast, golf tournament or car show. Participate in the 5K Bluebonnet Fun Run or the Kiwanis Bluebonnet Bicycle Tour while the kids enjoy their own fun run or bicycle decorating contest. View the Festival Grand Parade, grab a bus to the Highland Lakes CAF Air Show or watch one of the Burnet Gunfighter’s Shootouts in Old West Town. The night belongs to live music, street dance and a destruction derby.

Sunday begins at 730 am with the Bluebonnet Golf Tournament or at 10 am with the Car Show. Do not miss the Weiner Dog Race or the Highland Lakes Birding and Wildflower Show.

Believe it or not, I have not listed all the activities for this festival. Download a PDF of the schedule by right-clicking here or visit the Burnet Chamber website for race and parade forms.

2008 Bluebonnet Festival

Chappell Hill, Texas

Chappell Hill is located in beautiful Washington County, which is an epicenter for wildflower activities. Held in the National Historic District, this festival features 250+ juried exhibitors in the areas of home décor, gardening, artists, craftsmen, jewelry and clothing. Enjoy food and beverages, live entertainment and music and tours of the historic community. There is a special children’s activity corner for pony rides, petting zoo, face painting and barrel train. Admission is free, parking $5. Visit Chappell Hill Museum website for more details.

 Wildflower Driving Trails

Washington County (Central) Texas - Wildflower Watch - Bluebonnet Trails Map (PDF)

Rusk County (East) Texas - Driving Tours from Henderson - Wildflower Driving Trails (PDF)

Ennis (North) Texas- Local Sightings - Bluebonnet Trail Map (PDF)

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You are walking down pathways lined with flowers and shaded by trees when, suddenly, the above structure appears on a hill. As you walk closer, the entire conservatory complex comes into view.

The conservatory at San Antonio Botanical Gardens is a huge underground complex. We wandered around, trying to find the entrance. We walked on and came back to the conservatory later.

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