Tour Gonzales to commemorate Texas Independence Day with weeklong celebration

Tour Gonzales has partnered with local organizations — the City of Gonzales, Sons of the Republic of Texas, Daughters of the Republic of Texas, the Gonzales County Historical Commission and the Gonzales Crystal Theatre — to present the 2023 Texas Independence Commemoration.

Events begin this Saturday, Feb. 25 at Pioneer Village. The Immortal 32 Descendants and Family Association presents a Commemoration of the Travis Letter Arriving in Gonzales with guest speakers  and events. Former Texas Rangers President Joe Davis and Texas Ranger historian Mike Cox will be participating.

Local author Betsy Wagner will be signing copies of her books and Marge Kacir of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas will be speaking. Tickets to participate are $30 and $15 for the catered BBQ lunch. Registration is available online at tourgonzales.com. The public is encouraged to attend, and participants are encouraged to bring family photos and information to share. 

Then on Monday, Feb. 27, the Sons of the Republic of Texas, Gonzales Chapter, will be laying a wreath in honor of the Immortal 32 leaving Gonzales. The event is to be held at the Gonzales Memorial Museum at 5:15 p.m. with a commemorative ceremony and performance, “The King Family Scene,” by the Young Texians of the Gonzales Crystal Theatre.

On March 1, 32 men from Gonzales will join the Alamo’s presentation, “The Immortal 32 Arrive! Watch as Travis’ plea for reinforcement is answered by 32 men from Gonzales.” The event is at 11 a.m. at the Alamo in San Antonio. 

On Thursday, March 2, the Daughters of the Republic of Texas present “A Toast To Texas!” Raise your glass at the noon siren for a city-wide toast. DRT will be offering sweet tea for the toast and a short program beginning at 11:45 a.m. in Independence Square downtown Gonzales, ending with the noon toast.

Dust off your boots for the annual Chamber of Commerce & Agriculture banquet, “An Independence Ball” at the JB Wells Expo. The recipients of the prestigious David B. Walshak Lifetime Achievement Award and Community Service Award will be announced, along with BBQ, drinks, an auction and dancing with live music by The Hot Texas Swing Band. Tables and tickets are available at the Chamber of Commerce, 304 Saint Louis St., for purchase. All proceeds benefit the Chamber of Commerce, a non-profit organization.

On March 6, 1836, after 13 days of intermittent fighting, the Battle of the Alamo came to a gruesome end, capping off a pivotal moment in the Texas Revolution. To commemorate the losses of the 41 brave Gonzaleans that fought, a yellow rose will be placed in their honor during an official role call on the afternoon of Sunday, March 5 at 2 p.m. at the Gonzales Memorial Museum.  

The week’s events will wrap up with one final event to recognize and commemorate the sacrifice and hardships experienced by the families and community of Gonzales in the aftermath, known as the Runway Scrape. A candle vigil will be held in Independence Square at 8 p.m. with a performance by the Young Texians singing “Run, Run, Run Away!”

Details for all events can be found on the website, www.TourGonzales.com, or by contacting Tour Gonzales, located at the Gonzales Chamber of Commerce & Agriculture.