LA PORTE, TX – Booming cannons, cracking musket fire, thundering hooves and battle cries will resound across the San Jacinto Battleground, 3523 Battleground Road, LaPorte TX 77571, on Saturday, April 21, as hundreds of history reenactors recreate the events leading up to Texas winning its independence at the decisive Battle of San Jacinto.
This dramatic battle reenactment is the centerpiece of the admission-free San Jacinto Day Festival, held on Saturday, April 21, 2012 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the grounds surrounding the San Jacinto Monument. Highlights of the Festival include family entertainment, living history demonstrations, a childrens area and vendors reflecting all things Texas.
The largest battle reenactment in the state celebrates the 1836 Battle of San Jacinto, and its the most popular event of the day, it begins at 3 p.m. Presented by hundreds of members of the San Jacinto Volunteers and other living history organizations from across the state, the reenactment dramatizes the decisive battle where General Sam Houston led his Texian soldiers to victory over the Mexican Army eventually leading to almost one million square miles of Mexican territory becoming a part of the United States. The reenactors will dramatically interpret the Runaway Scrape (Texians fleeing from the advancing forces of Santa Anna), the cannon duel and the final battle between the two forces.
Some entertaining and educational activities scheduled as of March 27, 2012 include:
New this year: Solero Flamenco presents a fiery, passionate and virtuoso flemenco performance, let by founders Irma La Paloma and Jeremias Garcia.
New this year: The Coleman Brothers: The Coleman brothers are true road warriors from Texas who have toured with Willie Nelson, Ray Price and many other Texas legends. They had two #1 independent hits last year with Beer Thirty and Down by the Fishin Hole, and are known for their pure true-to-life country music and trademark layerd vocals.
New this year: J. R. Ancira: J. R. Ancira is a solo acoustic, singer/songwriter that specializes in country, with a variety of cover songs plus his own originals. J.R. has been singing and playing guitar for the past 20 years and has a one-of-a-kind voice.
Dr. Jesús F. de la Teja – the former State Historian of Texas, and presently the Distinguished Professor of History at Texas State Univ. and a board member of the San Jacinto Museum – will present a talk on Antonioo Menchaca and Santa Anna: An Unlikely Encounter at 12:30 and 1:30 in the Monuments theatre. Menchaca is one of the Tejano heroes of San Jacinto who had an encounter with Santa Anna following the generals capture the day after the battle.
Phydeauxs Flying Flea Circus, which is family-friendly, audience-interactive, historically accurage, educational street theatre performed by the Flea Meister in period costume. The performance consists of snake oil, comedy, tall tales, breathtaking feats of Phydeauxs world famous acrobatic fleas and shameless hyperbole.
Visitors can wander freely among the Mexican and Texian camps of the reenactors to learn what the soldiers of that day were doing prior to the battle in 1836.
Texas Parks & Wildlife Department will offer archery classes for young people.
Monument visitors can take the famous 489-foot elevator ride to the top of the Monument; enjoy the digital presentation Texas Forever!! The Battle of San Jacinto; and view the museums latest exhibit Making a Mark, Leaving a Legacy. Combo tickets for the elevator ride, the exhibit and movie can be purchased for $12 for adults, $10.50 for seniors, $8 for children.
For the Texans, their victory at San Jacinto led to Texas annexation into the United States, says Robert B. Hixon, Chairman of the Board, San Jacinto Museum. In the end, the United States would gain not only Texas but also New Mexico, Nevada, Arizona, California, Utah and parts of Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado and Wyoming.
Tips to further enjoy the 2012 festival:
Do not take the ferry on I-10; because there is only one ferry working right now, the wait is long.
Visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and/or blankets for comfortable viewing of the battle reenactment.
For more information please call 281.479.2421 or visit www.sanjacinto-museum.org.