Make history a family affair at annual San Jacinto Day Festival
History is a family affair for 65-year-old Mark Hegman of Baytown.
He became a historic re-enactor 13 years ago after his son-in-law Michael Sproat, then the curator of education at Sam Houston Memorial Museum, needed him to dress in period clothing for a program. Hegman did and was hooked. He enjoyed his interaction with thousands of seventh-graders and answering their questions.
In his latest role, he stars as his hero Sam Houston for the first time during Saturday’s San Jacinto Battle re-enactment.
The largest battle reenactment in the state is the centerpiece of the admission-free San Jacinto Day Festival, on Saturday, April 23, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the grounds surrounding the San Jacinto Monument. The 3 p.m. reenactment re-creates the events leading up to Texas winning its independence from Mexico 180 years ago.
The festival features entertainment, vendors, food, family activities, cultural exhibits and games set amid living history. The day includes music and dancing on three stages featuring country-western bands, flamenco dancers, Native American presentations and square dancers; more than 15 food vendors; make-and-take activities and crafts for children; a children’s train; a petting zoo; a medicine wagon show; birds of prey; weavers, spinners, blacksmiths and other demonstrators; and dozens of hand-crafted items for sale.
There’s total interaction with visitors at San Jacinto, Hegman said, explaining that re-enactors talk with guests and give demonstrations such as how Texians cooked and what they ate.
His role as Houston is in addition to his serving as civilian camp commander. And it’s a family affair for this native Texan, a contractor with Chevron, who loves Texas history, which he calls “so unique.”
His wife, Lynda, and daughter, Leslie Sproat, will be co-camp commanders, while he’s leading the Texians in battle against the Mexican Army. The women will push a cart made by Hegman carrying grandchildren Lillian Sproat, 2, and James T. Sproat, 4.
As civilian camp coordinator, Hegman said, “My main job is to try to keep everyone in the same period.” Clothing must be authentic, people have designated places to be during the re-enactment and when curious children look in tents or people take pictures of the scene, they won’t see any Coleman coolers, he said.
Hegman will shave his beard to more closely resemble the clean-shaven Houston. “I’ll just have mutton chops.” He also will dye his hair, explaining that Houston was 15 years younger or 50 at the time of the battle.
He became enamoured with Houston about six years ago after his youngest daughter did a history report on him. Hegman did further reading. “He’s one of the most honorable men I’ve read about,” concludes Hegman.
“The main thing is to see me and say that must be Sam Houston,” Hegman said. Though he’ll be dressed much like everyone else and carry a sword and pistol, Hegman will stand in front of the men and go into battle with them, like Houston led his troops.
“He tried to stop the carnage,” said Hegman. “He was one man screaming in a crowd.” Accounts said that Texians remembering the Alamo and Goliad killed 700 Mexicans and took an equal number prisoner during the battle.
Part of the San Jacinto re-enactment for 10 years, he’s played different roles and served in the Texian and Mexican armies, giving him a perspective of what happened. He enjoys the camaraderie. “Living history is so much fun. You learn something new every time you do it.”
Event parking will be in the Shell Contractor parking lot at 4400 Block Texas 225, Deer Park, located on the north side of the feeder road of Pasadena Freeway (Texas 225), between Tidal Road and Sam Houston Parkway (Beltway 8). Free shuttles between the festival and this lot run from 9:30 am to 6:30 p.m. Parking will not be allowed for visitors near the San Jacinto Monument, as in past years.
The event is coordinated by the San Jacinto Museum of History Association with the assistance of Texas Parks & Wildlife and the San Jacinto Volunteers re-enactors.
For more information, visit www.sanjacinto-museum.org or call 281-4792421. Dickinson
Young students in the Bay Area Harbour Playhouse’s Fine Arts Academy will present an adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland” at 3 p.m. on April 23 and 30.
The performances will take place in the downstairs theater of the Harbour Playhouse at 3803 Texas 3.
Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for youth and will be available at the playhouse box office.
Visit www.harbourtheater.com or call 281-3377469 for information. Alvin
Members of the Alvin Garden Club present their annual flower show as part of the 16th annual Alvin Area Garden Tour on Saturday, April 23.
For this year’s show, titled “Leather and Lace,” judges will come from Houston and College Station, and the show will be open to the public between 1:30 - 4 p.m. at the Alvin Senior Center, 309 West Sealy in Alvin.
The show is not the only attraction on this year’s tour.
A plant sale will be in the garage of the Marguerite Rogers House Museum, 113 E. Dumble St. And, the gardens of three private homes within Alvin city limits, as well as the Victorian cottage and grounds of the House Museum, will be on tour.
An additional feature this year will be the nature garden at Hood-Case Elementary School, 1450 Heights Road, part of the Alvin Independent School District Outdoor Learning Center. The five tour sites will be open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and the theme is “Customizing Backyard Spaces.”
There is no admission charge for the plant sale, flower show or nature garden. Children under 12 will need no tickets for the tour. Advance tickets are $7. On the day of the event, $8 tickets will be available at the House Museum garage and at the three private tour sites.
Call tour chairman Pat Klopp at 281-393-1538 for details. Houston
The Armand Bayou Nature Center’s Board of Trustees is hosting “Butterflies on the Bayou” on Saturday, April 23, in celebration of spring and to help support its role in Monarch butterfly conservation.
Through preservation and education, the center strives to reconnect people with nature. This year, ABNC has focused on the importance of creating sustainable habitat for the Monarch butterfly.