The New Waverly Public Library will host a community party to celebrate America’s 250th Birthday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 27.
This free, family friendly event is focused on entertainment and education and welcomes everyone from all the surrounding communities.
The event will feature an authentic encampment of Revolutionary War soldiers featuring members of the Capt. John McAdams Chapter #27 and other chapters of the Texas Society, Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) led by Sam Massey.
The encampment will feature an SAR member reenacting the South Carolina Patriot James Tinsley, a hero of the Revolution who is buried in an unmarked grave near the area. He will tell stories of the important battles he took part in and the dangers he escaped. He came to Texas in 1837 after it became the Republic of Texas, and he received a large land grant in Walker County.
The History Taskforce is posting a database on Family Search.org that includes Tinsley’s descendants down to the 1950 census so that guests can see if they might be relatives of this soldier. Taskforce volunteers will be there to help interested people search the database to see if they are related to Tinsley or show them how to search for their own Patriot ancestors.
The Front Porch Pickers, a Bluegrass Gospel music group from Coldspring, will be featured in an all-day jam session. Everyone is invited to bring their instrument and sit in with the group, or just enjoy the mountain music the way it was played since the South Carolina soldier James Tinsley was a boy.
Activities for children will include crafts such as making home-made ice cream in a zip lock bag, movies, and art projects aimed at younger children. A Corn Hole tournament with adult and children’s divisions (under 12) will take place from 11am -12 noon with prizes for each division winner. Children will be able to take their photo with a real New Waverly fireman and firetruck outside the library.
“An important focus of our library’s regular program is having fun and educational activities for young people from teens to preschoolers. We think this community-wide event has something for everyone. We hope the grandparents and parents will bring the kids and enjoy a day together,” said Chanel Mayben, library director. “
Free hot dogs and drinks will be provided from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for the first 100 visitors.