Texas Heritage Living History Weekend co-sponsored by Schreiner University and Texas Heritage Music Foundation took place on campus September 23, 24 and 25, was a huge success with more that 1,800 people in attendance.

Dr. Kathleen Hudson, executive director of THMF and professor of English at Schreiner, noted, “The crowd was perfect. We had a great crowd that seemed to stay longer this year.”

The main event at the Robbins-Lewis Pavilion featured more that 50 performers, presenters and educators. The line-up included Old West and Native American demonstrators; Texas history re-enactment groups; chuck wagons and teepees; noted cowboy storytellers and poets; Texas heritage demonstrators and educational exhibits; trick roping and horse shoeing demonstrations; the Texas Camel Corps; Native American Education exhibits and demonstrations.

At least 800 of the attendees were “at-risk” students, for whom the foundation provided transportation grants enabling them to attend. Hudson said a big part of THMF’s mission is to teach students about their Texas heritage by offering “another way of learning,” exposing them to history, art and storytelling. The ultimate goal is to foster within them an appreciation for learning.

Everyone who attended this event was exposed to what Hudson described as “awe-inspiring” activities. They were surprised by the “giant real, live” camels, Texas history re-enactments and demonstrations. Everyone had a blast with the jazz and swing performance that got all of them involved, “up and dancing and learning with movement,” Hudson said.

On Saturday, the Texas Heritage Seminar was held at the Floyd & Kathleen Cailloux Campus Activity Center, with a discussion panel that included members of the Texas Folklore Society and focused on the power of stories in education.

The whole weekend was a chance for everyone, not just kids, to experience some education and entertainment at the same time.

The weekend concluded with a Hurricane Katrina Benefit Concert, from which all proceeds went to help survivors of the hurricane that devastated the Gulf Coast areas of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.