(Seguin) — Seguin will gather today to celebrate Texas Independence Day. Citizens will join Texans around the world in raising a glass of spring water in a Toast to Texas. The celebration is scheduled this afternoon on the steps of the historic Sebastopol House.
The event is co-hosted by the Abishai Mercer Dickson Chapter of The Daughters of the Republic of Texas and the City of Seguin Parks and Recreation Department.
Kreschendalyn Backus, of the Daughters of the Republic, says the Texas Independence Day is a celebration of the adoption of the Texas Declaration of Independence on March 2, 1836. With this document signed by 59 people, settlers in Mexican Texas officially broke from Mexico creating the Republic of Texas.
Backus says this year’s event marks the 34th year that Seguin has recognized its true Texas heroes.
“We normally have a flyover depending on the weather. We raise a bottle of Texas spring water to toast to Texas. The area churches ring their bells throughout the town at 2 p.m. We have many local dignitaries as in our State Representative, our mayor, the mayor of Marion will be out, the police chief, fire chief and sheriff. This year, the master of ceremonies will be the honorable John Kuempel. The Guadalupe County Sheriff’s Mounted Posse comes out and delivers Mayor Keil’s proclamation. There will be members from Seguin High School there from the ROTC and the band. This year, Doug Parker, of Parker’s Pharmacy, will be reading William Travis’ letter from the Alamo and Judge Kyle Kutscher will be presenting the Toast,” said Backus.
Events get underway at 1:30 p.m. Saturday. The actual toast to Texas will be held at exactly 2 p.m. Invited to sing the national anthem this year will be Seguin native now Texas singer song-writer Ron Wright. Wright was recently recognized for his song “Anything and Everything Seguin” — a song honoring the area. The Sebastopol House is located at 704 Zorn St.
The Daughters of the Republic are also encouraging folks to stop by tonight at the Stephen and Mary Birch Texas Theatre for a book signing featuring local resident and historian Floyd McKee. McKee will be on hand to sign his new book and first volume of “Snapshots of Seguin.” The series will celebrate and showcase the history of Guadalupe County. Cost of the book is $25. All proceeds will go to the Seguin Conservation Society. The book signing will be held today from 5 to 7 p.m.