The committee was formed in 2016 and planned multiple events that were originally to be held in 2020 to commemorate the city’s founding.
The celebrations began with the Edelweiss Ball held on New Year’s Eve to ring in 2020 and was followed by a “simultoast” Jan 4.
During the event, community leaders from New Braunfels shared a virtual toast with representatives from Braunfels, Germany. It was the last major anniversary event held before the coronavirus pandemic arrived in Texas in March.
When the first cases of COVID-19 were reported in the city in March 2020, the committee put the remaining celebrations on pause, said Anne Miller, chair of the 175th Commission.
As coronavirus cases continued to rise throughout the region, the committee chose to move its remaining events to 2021, Miller said.
The Founder’s Gala, which was originally to be held in March 2020, will take place the evening of Oct. 15 as one of the final events planned by the committee.
“I'm very excited about the gala because this was supposed to be the big event for the 175th,” she said. “We wanted to set it far enough out to make sure that we could do it.”
A river parade, which was rescheduled for Oct. 30, has been canceled due to planning challenges, Miller said, though she hopes it will take place during the city’s 200th anniversary in 2045.
On Nov. 14 at 9:30 a.m., a time capsule will be buried at the intersection of Landa Park Drive and Elizabeth Avenue. Residents can submit items to be included in the time capsule for a donation of $1.75.
The time capsule will be opened in 25 years during the 200th anniversary, Miller said, and will show future residents a glimpse of what life was like in 2020 and 2021.
“We just want to keep our heritage and our history going; it's very important,” Miller said. “I think that's what makes New Braunfels so unique, and I think that's what makes people want to come here.”
