On March 14, 1845, Prince Carl Solms-Braunfels made 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 current site of New Braunfels.

Four days later, Prince Carl crossed the Guadalupe River at the El Camino Real ford, which stretched from Nacogdoches to San Antonio.

March 21, 1845 – Good Friday – Emigrant carts waded across the river at the same spot, marking the founding of New Braunfels.

Now, 175 years later – with a one-year delay caused by a pandemic – it’s time to celebrate and commemorate the city’s cultural heritage, hard work and Gemutlichkeit.

The 175th Anniversary Founders Day Parade, originally scheduled for March 2020, is scheduled for July 3, starting at 9 a.m., in conjunction with the Sophienburg Museum’s Patriotic Parade and Old Time Fourth of July program.

“People came here and made a city from nothing,” said Tara Kohlenberg, executive director of the Sophienburg Museum and Archives. “They made our house. It’s something to celebrate. We grew up and survived. A lot of these early communities did not. I think we have been very successful and still honor our ancestors.

New Braunfels’ July 4th celebration is steeped in history and dates back to the first major July 4th celebration in Texas, according to Kohlenberg.

“The first 4th of July which was celebrated in New Braunfels was in 1846,” she said. “When they arrived, they were Germans. They became Texans once they made their home here in 1845. Then in 1846 it was their first July 4th as Americans because Texas had been annexed.

Those early celebrations included cannon fire, food, and lasted about three days in the middle of town, which is now the Plaza, Kohlenberg said.

“Normally our parade is an American parade in a small town,” she said. “This year it will be a little different. It’s a lot bigger – a lot more people and groups and things that will make it a jubilee.

The parade route begins at Garden Street and South Seguin Avenue, near the New Braunfels Civic / Convention Center. The route continues on South Seguin Avenue towards Main Plaza, turns left on Main Plaza and continues in the opposite direction of normal traffic, then crosses East San Antonio Street and ends at South Liberty Street near Prince Solms Park .

Music from the 36th Infantry Division from Camp Mabry in Austin will lead the parade, in what is sort of homecoming.

The group was first formed in 1937 at New Braunfels as part of the 36th Infantry Division of the Texas Army National Guard.

The group, along with the entire 36th Infantry Division, was activated federally for service during World War II, becoming the first American division to touch European soil during the invasion of Italy.

After serving in Europe during the remainder of World War II, the unit was deactivated from federal service on February 15, 1946, only to be reorganized in 1947 at New Braunfels.

“According to some of the former members, the original members of the group were part of a community group in New Braunfels,” said the group’s commander and conductor, Chief Warrant Officer Jeff Lightsey. “They marched downtown, and when they conscripted, they listed them as the first military band in that regiment.”

This year’s performance will continue a tradition that the group participates in the Founders’ Jubilee Parade which takes place every 25 years in New Braunfels.

“The group paraded there the last three times they did it,” said Lightsey. “Every 25 years, we are part of it. We went there and we are delighted. “

The group’s most recent honors include the award of the prestigious Col. Howard for military bands, in 2008 and 2012.

Since returning from Basra, Iraq, in 2011, the “Lone Star Band” and its citizen soldiers continue to be the most visible public component of the Texas military forces, representing the Texas Army National Guard during this period. military and civilian events across the state.

The 165th edition of the Kindermasken Parade, sponsored by the Heritage Society of New Braunfels in association with the Founders Parade and the Sophieenberg Fourth of July Parade, will take the same route and start at 8:30 am on July 3.

A patriotic program will follow the parades.

After the parade downtown, residents can stop at the Central Fire Station, located at 169 S. Hill Avenue, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for a meeting with the fire fighters. Activities include a fire-themed bouncy house for kids and a tour of the downtown fire station. Light refreshments will be provided and the Kona Ice truck will be on hand for the purchase of snow cones.

In addition to the parade, the 36th Infantry Division Orchestra will perform at 4 p.m. on July 4 at the Brauntex Performing Arts Theater, sponsored by CEMEX. The concert, which will feature favorites from “Mars King” John Philip Sousa and other orchestral works, is free but tickets are required, available by going to https://brauntex.org/theater-upcoming-events/.

Spectacular fireworks returns

After a hiatus last year due to COVID-19 precautions, the July 4 fireworks show will return to Landa Park in what authorities are calling the biggest fireworks ever seen in New Braunfels.

The annual fireworks display will begin around 9:15 p.m. on July 4.

This year’s professional fireworks display will come through a generous donation from Joy and Rocky Hill in honor of the 175th anniversary of the founding of New Braunfels. Long-time partner HEB also returns as a sponsor of this year’s event.

“We are delighted that the fireworks show is back at Landa Park,” said Stacey Dicke, the city’s director of parks and recreation. “And this year’s event will really be something special to see. Thanks to the Hill’s generous contribution, this year’s show will feature essentially double the pyrotechnic firepower of previous fireworks. And we may have a few more surprises in store for those in attendance on July 4th. “

The fireworks are shot over Landa Lake and can be seen throughout Landa Park, the Landa Park golf course in Comal Springs and the baseball fields in Fredericksburg.

Seating on the golf course begins at 6 p.m. and putting greens are prohibited.

Additionally, the fireworks can be seen in several other locations around the city, including Fischer Park.

The Landa Park water complex, the mini-golf course, the pedal boats and the miniature train will remain open throughout the weekend of July 4th.

Independence Day festivities at Landa Park begin at 7 p.m. with the Live at Landa concert series at Landa Park Dance Slab. The first in this free concert series features the J. Abram Band.

The nationally recognized RE / MAX skydiving team will fly over Landa Park Golf Course at approximately 7:55 p.m. with the American flag and the flag celebrating New Braunfels’ 175th anniversary.

Residents and visitors are encouraged to come early, expect large crowds, and obey park rules.

Attendees are encouraged to tune into KGNB 1420 AM to listen to the live broadcast of patriotic music scheduled to accompany the fireworks display.

WWII planes participating in the 4th of July fly-in

Residents will have the option to fly in a WWII plane on Independence Day.

The Texas Aviation Academy will host the C-47 “Southern Cross” as part of the fourth edition of the July 4th Fly-in at the New Braunfels Regional Airport.

Hunter Reiley, CEO of the Texas Aviation Academy, said the C-47 is the largest aircraft to ever confirm participation in the flight.

“The Douglas C-47 Skytrain is a military transport aircraft developed from the Douglas DC-3 civilian airliner,” said Reiley. “It was used extensively by the Allies during World War II and remained in front line service with various military operators for many years. More than 50,000 paratroopers were dropped by C-47s in the early days of the D-Day campaign, also known as the invasion of Normandy, in France.

Greatest Generation Aircraft, a FortWorth-based non-profit organization, will be offering “Southern Cross” rides during the event for $ 80 per person (children under 2 who ride are free).

Those interested should reserve online early to secure a spot at www.gga1.org/contact.

The free flight event takes place from noon to 7 p.m. on July 4 at the academy located at 1642 Entrance Drive at the airport.

In addition to the warbirds and other planes on display, the event also offers free food and games. The public is invited to attend.

For more information on the fly-in, call 830-629-2110 or email [email protected]