2017 San Jacinto Day Festival and Battle Reenactment
The largest battle reenactment in the state is the centerpiece of the admission-free San Jacinto Day Festival, to be held on Saturday, April 22, 2017, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the grounds surrounding the San Jacinto Monument. The reenactment recreates the events leading up to Texas winning its independence from Mexico 181 years ago at the decisive Battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1836.
Sponsored by the San Jacinto Museum of History Association, the festival is a full day of entertainment, vendors, food, family activities, cultural exhibitors, games and fun set amidst living history: music and dancing on three stages featuring country-western bands, flamenco dancers, Native American presentations, square dancers and much more; 15+ food vendors; make-and-take activities and crafts for children; children’s train; petting zoo; medicine wagon show; birds of prey; weavers, spinners, blacksmiths and other demonstrators; and dozens of unique hand-crafted items for sale.
On Saturday, reenactors from across the state become figures in Texas history, for the day. Visitors can wander freely among the Mexican and Texian camps to learn what the soldiers and their families were doing prior to the battle in 1836. At 3 p.m., the official (and historically accurate!) reenactment of the Battle of San Jacinto begins. With hundreds of history reenactors, this reenactment—complete with cannons, horses and pyrotechnics—is the largest in southwest United States.
Parking will be significantly closer than in 2016. There will be several lots along Independence Parkway open for the general public. Disabled parking is available at the Battleship Texas parking lot (disabled placard or license plate required) at 3523 Independence Parkway, La Porte, Texas 77571. Only VIPs and Media with passes will be allowed to park at the Monument. Free shuttles will be running between the lots and the festival from 9:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
The Stay in Deer Park program encourages visitors to the San Jacinto Festival to choose Deer Park as their hotel destination. For discounted lodging during the event at locations such as the Hampton Inn, visit www.deerparktx.org/tourism for links to each of the hotel properties and associated discount offers.
A huge thank you to all of the sponsors for allowing this to remain as an admission-free event for the festival’s 12,000+ visitors.
Presenting Sponsor
H-E-B
Major Sponsors
City of Deer Park
City of La Porte
Dow Chemical Company
Pasadena Strawberry Festival
San Jacinto Museum of History Association
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
Commercial Sponsors
Green Mountain Energy
Texas Tribune
Volunteers and Vendors/Exhibitors are wanted! Consider helping to stage this fun festival; your hands will be welcome.
Entertainment Schedule
Main Stage
TIME | ENTERTAINMENT |
10:00 - 11:00 a.m. | Houston School of Irish Music |
11:00 - 12:00 a.m. | Fred Rusk & the Zydeco Hi-Steppers |
12:00 - 1:00 p.m. | Mensaje desde Mariachi Mensajeros |
1:00 - 2:00 p.m. | Aaron Einhouse |
2:00 - 3:00 p.m. | Fred Rusk & the Zydeco Hi-Steppers |
3:00 - 4:15 p.m. | - Break for Battle Reenactment - |
4:15 - 5:15 p.m. | Aaron Einhouse |
5:15 - 6:00 p.m. | SHSU Saxophone Quartet |
Performance Stage
TIME | ENTERTAINMENT |
11:00 - 11:30 a.m. | Ballet Folklorico |
11:30 - 12:00 noon | Danza Azteca Taxcayolotl |
12:00 - 12:30 p.m. | Tew Academy of Irish Dancers |
12:30 - 1:00 p.m. | Red Chanuska |
1:00 - 1:30 p.m. | Ballet Folklorico |
1:30 - 2:00 p.m. | Danza Azteca Taxcayolotl |
2:00 - 2:30 p.m. | Red Chanuska |
3:00-4:15 p.m. | - Break for Battle Reenactment - |
5:00 - 5:30 p.m. | Bruce Manners, Comedic Juggling |
Children's Stage
TIME | ENTERTAINMENT |
10:00 - 10:30 a.m. | North Harris County Dulcimer Society |
10:30 - 11:00 a.m. | Jacob Marshall |
11:00 - 11:30 a.m. | Tew Academy of Irish Dancers |
11:30 - 12:15 p.m. | Last Chance Forever - Birds of Prey |
12:15 - 12:45 p.m. | Bruce Manners, Comedic Juggling |
12:45 - 1:30 p.m. | Last Chance Forever - Birds of Prey |
1:30 - 2:15 p.m. | Texas Snakes |
2:15 - 2:45 p.m. | Bruce Manners, Comedic Juggling |
3:00 - 4:15 p.m. | - Break for Battle Reenactment - |
4:15 - 4:30 p.m. | General Sam Houston as portrayed by living historian Jack Edmondson |
4:30 - 5:00 p.m. | Bruce Manners, Comedic Juggling |
5:00 - 5:30 p.m. | Jacob Marshall |
Festival Grounds
TIME | ENTERTAINMENT |
11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Camel Rides |
3:00 - 4:15 p.m. | Battle Reenactment |
All Day | Dan Barth |
All Day | Texas Snakes |
All Day | Petting Zoo |
All Day | Black Beaver, Delaware Blanket Trader |
All Day | Gilbert Hernandez, Texas Camel Connection |
All Day | Square Dancers of Houston |
All Day | Archery |
All Day | Make and take children's crafts |
Monument Theatre
TIME | ENTERTAINMENT |
11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. | General Sam Houston as portrayed by living historian Jack Edmondson |
A PDF entertainment schedule is also available.
Parking
Download the Parking Map.
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