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Christmas Rendezvous and Trade Fair -On the first Saturday of December period craftsmen, artisans and reenactors will gather on the grounds of Presidio La Bahia to bring history to life!
Since time immemorial people have gathered together to trade ideas, news and the labor of their hands. Modern times have changed very little and once again, people will gather together at Presidio La Bahia to trade the crafts and wares they have made and collected in a 21st century adaptation of the ancient trade fair!
Take the day and visit Presidio La Bahia and browse the trade blankets and sutlers tents for unique Christmas gifts for that special person on your list!
Dress for the weather as this event takes place out of doors. Admission is $5 for adults, $4.50 for seniors, $2 for children 6-11, under 6 are free.
WHEN December 7th & 8th, 2019
TIMES 9:00AM-5:00PM & 9:00AM-12:00PM
El Soldado de Mexico -Join reenactors on January 25th as they recreate elements of Santa Anna’s army circa 1836.
Santa Anna marched at the head of an army that had recently stamped out the beginnings of a revolution in the interior of Mexico. That army crossed the Rio Bravo in the winter of 1836 with the mission of putting down the revolution that was brewing in Texas. Contrary to popular myth, the Army of the Republic of Mexico was made up of professional soldiers, many of whom were seasoned veterans by 1836. They wore uniforms that rivaled those seen on European battlefields and marched, fought and carried themselves with the same dignity and esprit d’corps as their European counterparts.
Join Primer Battallon as they make camp at Presidio La Bahia and instruct their members in drill just as Santa Anna’s officers would have done in 1835-36 . Visit with the officers and men of the unit as they go about their daily routines and immerse yourself in what life was like on campaign in the sometimes brutal conditions experienced in the winter and spring of 1835-36. And for those brave souls amongst you, if you’d like to join in and try your hand at being a soldado de Mexico, Primer Battallon is always looking for new recruits!
Dress for the weather as this event takes place out of doors. Admission is $5 for adults, $4.50 for seniors, $2 for children 6-11, under 6 are free.
WHEN January 25th & 26th, 2020
TIMES 9:00AM-5:00PM & 9:00AM-12:00PM
The Walls of Ft. Defiance -Join the staff of Presidio La Bahia as they bring The Walls of Ft. Defiance to life!
Have you ever wondered about the old fort the Texians fought to capture in the fall of 1835 and continued to hold into the spring of 1836?
Join us as we explore The Walls of Ft. Defiance through historical interpretation and hands on activities. Visit with living historians dressed and equipped as Texians manning the walls of the old Spanish fortress renamed by Fannin and his command in early 1836. Walk the same ground as Fannin, Bowie and countless other Texians. Learn more about the defenses thrown up by soldiers in anticipation of a possible siege and battle. Discover local legends attached to the work done to the fort and how they have lasted into modern times!
Dress for the weather as this event takes place out of doors. Admission is $5 for adults, $4.50 for seniors, $2 for children 6-11, under 6 are free.
WHEN February 22nd & 23rd, 2020
TIMES 9:00AM-5:00PM & 9:00AM-2:00PM
Goliad Massacre and Living History Program -Reenactors and Living Historians from across Texas gather at Presidio La Bahia to recreate the final days of Col. Fannin’s command.
Presidio La Bahia, Crossroads of Texas Living History Association and Texas Parks and Wildlife collaborate to bring you a recreation of the occupation of the Presidio La Bahia by Colonel Fannin and a reenactment of the Goliad Massacre.Join Presidio La Bahia, Goliad State Park and Crossroads of Texas Living History Association for the 35th Annual Goliad Massacre and Living History Program and Candlelight Tour. Take a stroll through the camps of both the Mexican and Texian armies and visit with reenactors as they go about their daily activities all inside the old stone walls of the Presidio. Grab a front row seat for one of the battle reenactments that take place in front of Presidio La Bahia on Texas Parks and Wildlife property. Stay over and immerse yourself in the turbulent times surrounding Fannin and his men with the candlelight tours Saturday evening. And finally, be sure to come back out Sunday to witness a recreation of the final days of Fannin’s men followed by a memorial at the Fannin Monument.
Dress for the weather as this event takes place out of doors. Admission is $5 for adults, $4.50 for seniors, $2 for children 6-11, under 6 are free. Candlelight Tour tickets are an additional $3 and must be purchased the day of the event.
WHEN March 28th & 29st, 2020
TIMES 9:00AM-5:00PM & 9:00AM-12:00PM35th Annual Goliad Massacre Living History Program Schedule of Events;
SATURDAY, March 28th, 2020
9:00 AM GATES OPEN
10:00 INFANTRY/CAVALRY & ARTILLERY SKIRMISH
in front of Presidio La Bahia
10:30 LIVING HISTORY
inside the walls of Presidio La Bahia
11:00 PRESENTATION IN OUR LADY OF LORETO CHAPEL TBA
12:00 SHOWING OF VIDEO:“Presidio La Bahia And Its Place In The History of Texas”
1:00 CAVALRY SKIRMISH
in front of Presidio La Bahia
2:00 LIVING HISTORY
inside the walls of Presidio La Bahia
3:00 BATTLE OF COLETO CREEK
in front of Presidio La Bahia
4:00 LIVING HISTORY
inside the walls of Presidio La Bahia
5:00 GATES CLOSE
6:30-9:00 CANDLELIGHT TOUR—ENTER AT SOUTH GATE
inside the walls of Presidio La Bahia
SUNDAY, March 29st, 2020
9:00 GATES OPEN
9:30 “ISAAC HAMILTON” PORTRAYAL
inside the walls of Presidio La Bahia
10:00 DEATH MARCH FROM CHAPEL TO MASSACRE SITE
Followed by: “ISAAC HAMILTON” PORTRAYAL
inside the walls of Presidio La Bahia
Followed by: EXECUTION OF COL. FANNIN AND THE OTHER TEXIANS
inside the walls of Presidio La Bahia
11:30 MEMORIAL SERVICE BEGINS IN THE CHAPEL, PROCESSES TO THE ANGEL OF GOLIAD PLAZA WITH THE PROCESSION CONTINUING TO THE FANNIN MONUMENT FOR THE CONCLUSION OF THE MEMORIAL SERVICE
Fire on the Border -Living historians & Reenactors gather together to bring the exciting history of the Punitive Expedition to life!
Join us as we bring to life the exciting but little known Punitive Expedition of 1916-1917. Visit with living historians and Reenactors dressed and equipped as men under the command of Gen. Blackjack Pershing and Poncho Villa immerse yourself in this wild period of US-Mexican border history!
Dress for the weather as this event takes place out of doors. Admission is $5 for adults, $4.50 for seniors, $2 for children 6-11, under 6 are free.
WHEN April 25th & 26th, 2019
TIMES 9:00AM-5:00PM & 9:00AM-12:00PM
Cinco de Mayo Celebration! -Living historians & Reenactors gather together to commemorate the French Intervention and celebrate the Mexican victory of the Battle of Puebla.
Join us as we celebrate the victory of Gen. Zaragoza over French forces at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. Visit with living historians and Reenactors dressed and equipped as men under the command of Gen. Zaragoza and those of the French Army and learn more about the reason behind Cinco de Mayo celebrations!
Dress for the weather as this event takes place out of doors. Admission is $5 for adults, $4.50 for seniors, $2 for children 6-11, under 6 are free.
WHEN May 2nd & 3rd, 2020
TIMES 9:00AM-5:00PM & 9:00AM-12:00PM
Victoria Bachfest at Our Lady of Loreto -Our Lady of Loreto hosts Victoria Bach Festival on June 6th.
Victoria Bach Festival returns to Our Lady of Loreto chapel to present a concert of voice and guitar.
Experience the masterful acoustics through the harmonious tones of voice and guitar in an 18th century Spanish chapel. Our Lady of Loreto was completed in 1779 and has served the local community ever since. Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to enjoy a wonderful concert in an amazing setting!
Visit www.victoriabachfestival.org for tickets and more information.
WHEN June 6th, 2020
TIMES 7:30PM
Wayback Wednesdays -The history of Presidio La Bahia is brought to life every Wednesday from 9-4 during the months of June and July.
Are you looking for something special to do during summer vacation? If so, plan a trip to Presidio La Bahia and get in on Wayback Wednesdays!
Visit with living historians as they bring the past to life and explore little known stories from the Presidio’s early days. Learn about the daily life of a presidial trooper stationed on the frontier of Spanish Texas. Explore the stone walls and battlements of the old presidio and when you’re done there, duck inside for a look at our museum and the wonderful collection of artifacts from the 1700 and 1800s. It’s fun for the whole family so come on out and spend the day at Texas’s only fully restored Spanish Presidio!
Dress for the weather as this event takes place out of doors. Admission is $5 for adults, $4.50 for seniors, $2 for children 6-11, under 6 are free.
WHEN Every Wednesday in June and July, 2020
TIMES 9:00AM-4:00PM
Presidio La Bahia under the Spanish Flag -Join the staff of Presidio La Bahia as they take you on a tour of the old Spanish fortress.
Visit with historical interpreters as they take you on a tour of the ancient stone walls of Presidio La Bahia as they existed during the Spanish period. Learn about the importance of the presidio to the local population and its greater influence in Spanish Texas. Walk in the footsteps of Spanish soldiers, citizens, Native allies and filibustering armies as you soak up the rich history of this Spanish fort lasting from 1749 until 1821!
Dress for the weather as this event takes place out of doors. Admission is $5 for adults, $4.50 for seniors, $2 for children 6-11, under 6 are free.
WHEN August 8th & 9th, 2020
TIMES 9:00AM-5:00PM & 9:00AM-2:00PM
The Kentucky Mustangs -One of the most colorful units under Fannin’s command is brought to life at Presidio La Bahia!
Visit with historical interpreters as they bring to life the Kentucky Mustangs, one of the many units to serve under Fannin’s command of Ft. Defiance. Learn about this rowdy group of young men who sailed and marched from Kentucky to Texas to take part in the Texian War for Independence. Hear tales of their colorful antics and behavior while stationed in La Bahia and discover why the locals came to despise their presence here. As an added bonus, we will have a brief workshop for those interested in joining a recreation of the Kentucky Mustangs beginning at 3:30PM and running until approximately 5:00PM. If you’d like to learn more about the men who fought for Texas’ independence or maybe you’d like to get into the hobby of reenacting, this is the program for you!
Dress for the weather as this event takes place out of doors. Admission is $5 for adults, $4.50 for seniors, $2 for children 6-11, under 6 are free.
WHEN September 12th, 2020
TIMES 9:00AM-5:00PM
To the Halls of the Montezumas -Join living historians as they bring to life the Mexican-American War of 1846-48.
Visit Presidio La Bahia as living historians come together to recreate the sites and sounds of the U.S. Mexican War. Walk through the Mexican and American camps and learn more about the armies that were fighting, and what they were fighting for. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience a little known, but overwhelmingly important episode of history!
Dress for the weather as this event takes place out of doors. Admission is $5 for adults, $4.50 for seniors, $2 for children 6-11, under 6 are free.
WHEN October 17th, 2020
TIMES 9:00AM-5:00PM
Presidio La Bahia Open House -Presidio La Bahia hosts an open house as a thank you for all of our visitors and supporters!
Join us for a special “Thank you!” to all of our visitors, friends and supporters throughout the year as we host an Open House on November 4th. We will be offering light refreshments and door prizes for those in attendance. Be sure and join us for this unique event, we’re sure you’ll enjoy yourselves and we know you’ll leave with a newfound respect for Presidio La Bahia!
Dress for the weather as this event takes place out of doors. Admission is free for this special event!
WHEN November 4th, 2020
TIMES 5:30PM-7:30PM
Friends of the Fort Appreciation Dinner -Presidio La Bahia hosts an appreciation dinner for the Friends of the Fort!
Join us as we host an appreciation dinner on the grounds of Presidio La Bahia for our Friends of the Fort! As Friends of the Fort, you help raise funds to maintain and operate the Presidio throughout the year.
Without your help Presidio La Bahia wouldn’t be able to keep its doors open or offer the wonderful programming made available throughout the year. We hope all of our Friends of the Fort can join us for this special dinner. Be sure to check your FOF communications for more information and if you’re not a Friend of the Fort, contact us at 361 645-3752 for details on how you to can become a part of this indispensable group!
Dress for the weather as this event takes place out of doors. This special event is open exclusively to Friends of the Fort.
WHEN November Date TBA, 2020
TIMES 5:30PM-7:30PM
Christmas Rendezvous and Trade Fair -On the first Saturday of December period craftsmen, artisans and reenactors will gather on the grounds of Presidio La Bahia to bring history to life!
Since time immemorial people have gathered together to trade ideas, news and the labor of their hands. Modern times have changed very little and once again, people will gather together at Presidio La Bahia to trade the crafts and wares they have made and collected in a 21st century adaptation of the ancient trade fair!
Take the day and visit Presidio La Bahia and browse the trade blankets and sutlers tents for unique Christmas gifts for that special person on your list!
Dress for the weather as this event takes place out of doors. Admission is $5 for adults, $4.50 for seniors, $2 for children 6-11, under 6 are free.
WHEN December 5th & 6th, 2020
TIMES 9:00AM-5:00PM & 9:00AM-12:00PM