WOODVILLE – The annual Texas Independence Day celebration at Heritage Village is scheduled for Monday, March 2, beginning at 1 p.m.
The “Toast to Texas” will honor the events of March 2, 1836, when a band of Texians gathered from throughout the territory at Washington on the Brazos to declare their independence from Mexico.
Independence from Mexico came a little more than a month later after the Battle of San Jacinto, and many pioneers from this area took part in the battles fought for independence.
The creation of the Republic of Texas established an independent country that lasted for almost 10 years.
“The Toast to Texas event is a wonderful opportunity for Tyler County citizens and out-of-town visitors to gather to celebrate a significant event in Texas history. We invite everyone to join us for the program and then tour the Village,” said Kay Timme, who serves as president of the Tyler County Heritage Society (TCHS) board of directors, which owns and operates Heritage Village.
The planned program includes a keynote speech from Betty Zimmerman, a longtime volunteer with TCHS, and singing by the students of Tyler County Christian Academy.
At 2 p.m., attendees will get the chance to hoist a cup of fresh, cool spring water to toast Texas Independence Day. It is a tradition that began in 1993 with Texas Highways magazine.
In an article in the magazine, it was suggested that all Texans commemorate the event by stopping whatever they happen to be doing at 2 p.m. on March 2 in order to drink a toast to Texas.
Historian Joe Franz, who often contributed to the magazine composed a poem to commemorate the event.
Texas Highways, also suggested, according to Dottie Johnson’s “At the Village” column in the Feb. 23, 1994 edition of the Tyler County Booster, that those celebrating Texas Independence Day might also want to write and use an original toast, and TCHS followed suit with their own toast that was used in the program.
Students in Texas History classes from area schools also got involved in writing original toasts, as well.
The event is free to attend. “We hope to see you there," Timme said.
