Washington on the Brazos, the location of the original signing of the Declaration of Texas on March 2, 1836, canceled this year's event due to the pandemic, according to the news release. However, Joy Montgomery, executive director of the Heritage Museum of Montgomery County, will host the 185th anniversary with participants from throughout Texas.
“Montgomery County was a part of the monumental history of Texas when Santa Anna was leading his troops from Mexico as part of the Texas Revolution. Montgomery County was then located in the Washington Municipality, and citizens residing in our community were urged to fight against the tyranny of Santa Anna by the Provisional Governor of Texas to become its own country," Montgomery said. “The Republic of Texas was formed in 1836 until it agreed to be a part of the United States in 1845."
The event includes re-enactments, cannons, dance performances and historical music from the 1700s played on fiddles with the Cellaire String Band as well as cowboy music from K.R. Wood. Food will be available at the event from Rolling Republic BBZ, Kreole Soul food truck, Frios Gourmet Pops and Native Kettle Korn as well as the Alabama Coushatta Tribe of Texas.
Organizations confirmed to attend the event include descendants from the original 59 signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence, Sons and Daughters of the Republic of Texas, and the Montgomery Historical Society.
The event is sponsored by Spirit of Texas Bank, the city of Conroe, Quest Engineering and the Conroe Lake Conroe Chamber of Commerce.
Temperatures will be taken at the entrance to the park, and masks and social distancing are recommended.
