Texas Heritage Independence
Celebration Association
Texas Heritage Independence
Celebration Association
General admission $8 per day, and Veterans with service IDs get in for $4 per day.
$3 Pre-Event Weekend Wristband Tickets
Pre-Event tickets can be purchased at the following locations until April 11th only.
Greater Chamber of Harlingen
311 E. Tyler
Harlingen, Texas
RGV Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
801 E. Fern Ave., Suite 143
McAllen, Texas
The Bullrider
1606 S. 77 Sunshine Strip
Harlingen, Texas
Main Street Boutique & Bistro
712 N. 77 Sunshine Strip, Ste. 6
Harlingen, Texas
Luby’s Cafeteria
Volunteers will sell tickets at the Luby’s entrance
Wednesday: 12 PM to 1:30 PM and 5 PM to 6:30 PM
Friday: 12 PM to 1:30 PM
2506 S. 77 Sunshine Strip
Harlingen, Texas
Happy Birthday, TexasFest 2024 will be held at Harlingen Field, 1216 Fair Park Blvd., Harlingen, Texas, on April 12-14, 2024. Join us on April 12 at 2 PM for the ribbon cutting by the Greater Chamber of Harlingen and RGV Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. The event has grown in popularity and has drawn people from all over the Rio Grande Valley and Texas. THICA would like to thank the City of Harlingen, the Greater Chamber of Harlingen, and the Harlingen EDC for all their help in making this three-day event possible for the whole family.
Founded in 2007, Texas Heritage Independence Celebration Association, Inc., is a 501(c)(3), a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the history of Texas, from the natives who first settled here to the numerous flags that have flown over this great state. THICA endeavors to retell these stories and honor the memory of those who came before us, shaping the Texas we enjoy today. Be sure to pick a free magazine at the gate, enjoy Texas history articles, and patronize our magazine sponsors.
General admission at the gate will be $8 per day, and veterans with service IDs get in for $4 per day. Gates will open at 1 PM on Friday, April 12; 10:00 AM on Saturday, April 13, and 9:00 AM on Sunday; April 14.
Events include three major Texas Revolution battle reenactments: the Battle of the Alamo and Gonzales will be held on Saturday, April 13th, and the Battle of San Jacinto will be on Sunday, April 14th, IBCA State-Sanctioned BBQ State Championship Cook-Off, Live Music by San Benito High School Mariachi/Conjunto, Los City Boys, DV8 Band, The Fabulous Cruisers Band “50’s, 60’s, 70’s and 80’s Music and Carlos Cañas. Food & Craft Vendors, Area School District Performances, Living History Day, “Lone Star Dream” Student’s Musical, Student Art Show, Studio 956 Aztec & Folkloric Dancers and Heritage Cultural Performances, Ballet Folklórico Tradición Mexicana, Beer Garden, plus Tug-of-War by our Frontline Warriors.
Living History Day
Living History Day will be held in Harlingen, Texas, on Friday, April 12th at Harlingen Field. Rio Grand Valley school districts are invited to participate. Students and teachers can return to 1836 and learn the rich history of Texas's independence. 7th Graders can attend and hear speakers present a history lesson. Each topic will be 20 minutes long. The time for the entire presentation is 2 hours. If your school would like to participate, please register by filling out the Living History Day-School Registration Form below, or for more information, contact:
Ruben Cordova: 956.793.2357
Anabeth M. Cordova: 956.821.7402
Diane Bates: 956.739.0401
Victor Rosas: 956.367.3448
Market Fair: Food/Arts & Crafts
Attention food and arts & crafts vendors of the Rio Grande Valley, THICA is looking for vendors to take advantage of this 3-day event which is in tap to be one of the biggest.
April 12 - 14, 2024 (Friday, Saturday & Sunday), from 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. Harlingen Field, 1216 Fairpark Blvd. Harlingen
Food Vendors: $500.00
(Booth Space & City of Harlingen Permit Fee)
(TX ID Food Handlers Permit Required)
Arts & Crafts Vendor: $250.00
Please fill out application and contact Victor Rosas: 956.367.3448
Art Contest
This contest is open to grades 4 through 12 enrolled in any school (Public, Private, Parochial, etc). Entries must conform to the rules listed to qualify in the THICA Art Contest. Entries must be original and may be any representation and any phase of the Texas Revolution according to TEKS 4th and 7th grades curriculum. (Tejano Influencers encouraged.) Only individual work created by student and only one entry per student will be accepted. Entries will be judged on workmanship, creativity, originality, and message. Winning entries will be on display between March 1st and April 13th at the Harlingen Arts and Heritage Museum. Winners will be announced at the Texas Fest Event on April 13, 2024, at Harlingen Field.
Any questions, please text:
Diana Bates: 956.739.0401
Leslie Whittemore: 956.357.7944
IBCA Cook-Off “State Championship”
IBCA Sanctioned / $8,500 IN CASH PRIZES* (*cash amount is based on 40 entries) Paying out 1st - 10th place on IBCA categories. “TexasFest 2024”, April 12-14, 2024, Harlingen Field (1216 Fairpark Blvd. Harlingen, Texas) Music and Activities for the Whole Family
Entry Fee: $225*
*Based on number of entries
IBCA Meats: Brisket, Pork Spare Ribs, Half Chicken
Entry Fee for Jackpots: $30 each
(75% payouts of entries): Pan de Campo, Beans, Desserts, Fajitas
For more information contact:
Victor Rosas: 956.367.3448
Reenactment Registration & Release Forms
THICA is looking reenactors for the Texas independence battles and Living History Day as it step back to 1836. A historic campsite will be setup, with Tejano, Texian and Mexican soldiers sharing the history and culture of that era, and telling the legendary story of Texas’ Independence. The reenactments performed on April 13 and 14 are representations of three key battles of Texas’ fight for independence from Mexico in 1835-1836. If you are interested please fill forms below or contact:
Ruben Cordova: 956.793.2357
Anabeth M. Cordova: 956.821.7402
Sponsorship Agreement
Levels & Benefits
Happy Birthday TexasFest 2024 Magazine
• 2,000 copies
• Distributed to businesses, hotels, restaurants, schools, and Harlingen City Hall, Harlingen Chamber of Commerce, Harlingen EDC and free at the event.
A tribute to the brave Tejanos and Texians who helped make Texas and the United States what it is today. Join us in celebrating the story of our culture and reliving Texas history! Publish Date: April 2024
Become one of four top level sponsors, review the Sponsorship Levels & Benefits.
The “Lone Star Dream Musical” is a presentation of the K.R. Wood’s Father’s of Texas CD to remember and honor the great Texas and Tejano heroes who fought and died for Texas’ independence and performed by Rio Grande Valley 4th and 5th grade students. Characters and parts include Davy Crockett, Cowboys and Texas Rangers, William Travis, Jim Bowie, Sam Houston, Santa Anna, Mexican Soldiers, Texans and Tejanos, Enrique Esparza, Prairie Ladies and Mexican Senioritas. The musical consists of narration, acting and dancing. Students must be committed to attend rehearsals and final performance. Download Registration form below and fill out the registration form and submit.
Thank you for your support!
TEXAS HERITAGE INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATION ASSOCIATION
2004 W. Jefferson, Suite 6, Harlingen, Texas 78550
2024 All Rights Reserved / Privacy
