The New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce announced in a press release on Friday, March 13, that all events related to New Braunfels’ 175th anniversary celebrations scheduled from March 14-22 were postponed until September or early fall due to coronavirus concerns.

Chamber President Michael Meek said that the decision was a precautionary measure.

“We’re celebrating the 175th year, not just a week,” Meek said. “We can celebrate that week when it works well for most people, and that appears to be later in the fall.”

This is not the first time the city’s anniversary celebrations have been moved. In 1945, New Braunfels’ 100th anniversary was postponed until January 1946 so soldiers returning from overseas would be able to participate, according to Meek.

“They postponed the parade and all the other events,” Meek said. “This is not unprecedented, unfortunately.”

Time capsule items may still be picked up at the Sophienburg Museum. The following events are canceled until further notice.

• March 14: Community Breakfast presented by the New Braunfels Downtown Rotary Club
• March 14: 125th Time Capsule Pick Up
• March 19: Unveiling of the 175th Mural
• March 20: The Founders’ Trail Ride
• March 21: 174th Annual Kindermasken Parade & Ball presented by the Museum of Texas Handmade Furniture
• March 21: Founders Day Parade
• March 21: Founders Gala presented by Veramendi
• March 21: Founders Fireworks presented by Rocky Hill Equipment
• March 22: Community Wide Blessing

The First Protestant Church’s 175th Celebration on March 22 is still scheduled to take place as of this story’s publication.

“This was certainly the right thing to do,” Meek said. “We just want to make sure that safety is the utmost [priority].”