Members of the New Braunfels Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors on Thursday took a step toward making the South Castell Avenue Visioning Plan a reality, approving an expenditure of
Four county judges.
Along with probably hundreds of employees, members and stakeholders of the Greater New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce, thatâs how many people retiring president and CEO Michael Meek has served and interacted with since his tenure with that organization started in 1988.
He has worked in various capacities in the organization, assuming the CEO post in 1995.
As he says goodbye but not necessarily farewell this week after three decades at the organization tasked with strengthening the local economy, advocating for its members and the community and advancing community excellence, Meek told the Herald-Zeitung that he believed that a chamber of commerce is one of those unique non-profit organizations â there are no other organizations like it in the country, he said â that serves the intersection of business, government and residents.
Thereâs plenty to do this Fourth of July weekend, as New Braunfels celebrates the virus-delayed 175th anniversary of its founding and Uncle Sam marks his 245th birthday.Â
The 175th Anniversary Founders Day Parade, originally scheduled for March 2020, is planned for Saturday, starting at 9 a.m., in conjunction with the Sophienburg Museumâs Old Time Fourth of July Patriotic Parade and Program.Â
The parade route starts at Garden Street and South Seguin Avenue near the New Braunfels Civic/Convention Center. The route proceeds on South Seguin Avenue toward Main Plaza, takes a left turn at the Main Plaza and proceeds in the opposite direction that traffic usually flows, then traverses to East San Antonio Street and ends at South Liberty Street near Prince Solms Park.
On March 14, 1845, Prince Carl Solms-Braunfels entered into an agreement with Maria Antonia Veramendi Garza and her husband to purchase 1,265 acres for the princely sum of $1,112, which included the present site of New Braunfels.
Four days later, Prince Carl crossed the Guadalupe River at the ford of El Camino Real, which stretched from Nacogdoches to San Antonio.
On March 21, 1845 â Good Friday â emigrant wagons forded the river at the same spot, marking the founding of New Braunfels.
Now, 175 years later â with a one-year pandemic-prompted delay â itâs time to celebrate and commemorate the cityâs cultural heritage, hard work and Gemutlichkeit.
The 175th Anniversary Founders Day Parade, originally scheduled for March 2020, is planned for July 3, starting at 9 a.m., in conjunction with the Sophienburg Museumâs Old Time Fourth of July Patriotic Parade and Program.Â
The pandemic brought loneliness and isolation, and so a local cancer support nonprofit is hoping to uplift and empower women through community.Â
Pink Warrior Advocates will host a Womenâs Empowerment Gala â Be the Queen of YOUR Heart on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. at the New Braunfels Civic/Convention Center.
Almost all tickets ranging in price from $100 to $1,000 have sold out. Women will discuss their experiences, hear a guest speaker, and party and dance the night away.Â
Pink Warrior Advocates founder and president Jen Reynolds said she wanted to do their annual gala, especially since during the pandemic many women are at home juggling multiple responsibilities.Â