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