2020 Goliad Massacre Reenactment and Living History Program
Join us for the 35th Annual Goliad Massacre Reenactment and Living History Program on March 28-29, 2019 at Presidio La Bahia in Goliad, Texas where Reenactors and Living Historians from across Texas gather to recreate the final days of Colonel Fannin’s command. Stroll through the camps of both the Mexican and Texian armies and visit with reenactors as they go about their daily activities. The reenactors who you will see during the reenactments over the weekend set up camp within the Presidio with period tents, equipment and clothing.
Goliad Massacre Reenactment and Living History Program
The reenactors work hard to make the experience genuine for visitors. You may see a gunsmith with period guns on display, young girls instructing crowds on animal pelts, or meals cooking in large cast iron pots over open fires.
Grab a front row seat for one of the Goliad Massacre Reenactment battles that take place in front of Presidio La Bahia. Stay after the battle and immerse yourself in the turbulent times surrounding Colonel Fannin and his men with the candlelight tours Saturday evening. Be sure to come back out Sunday and witness a recreation of the final days of Fannin’s men followed by a memorial at the Fannin Monument.
Admission Fee
Admission is $4 for adults, $3.50 for seniors, $1 for children 6-11, under 6 are free. Candlelight Tour tickets are an additional $2 and must be purchased the day of the event.
Location
Presidio La Bahia
108 Park Rd 6
Goliad, TX 77963
For More Information
Presidio La Bahia: Call (361) 645-3752; Email presidiolabahiainfo@gmail.com
Crossroads of Texas Living History Asso. David Vickers djvickers@hotmail.com
Camping
If staying for both days, camping at Goliad State Park adds to the experience of the Goliad Massacre Reenactment and Living History Program. It is a short walk and an even shorter bike ride to the Presidio. The wildflowers are beautiful this time of year. The park campground includes full hook-ups for campers, as well as tent camping areas. There are bathrooms and showers throughout the Park. Reserve your spot early – the Goliad Massacre Reenactment and Living History Program is very popular and well-attended!
Goliad Massacre Reenactment and Living History Program Mini Gallery
Schedule Of Events
SATURDAY
9:00 AM GATES OPEN
10:00 AM INFANTRY/CAVALRY & ARTILLERY SKIRMISH in front of Presidio La Bahia
10:30 AM LIVING HISTORY inside the walls of Presidio La Bahia
11:00 AM PRESENTATION IN OUR LADY OF LORETO CHAPEL TBA
12:00 PM SHOWING OF VIDEO:“Presidio La Bahia And Its Place In The History of Texas”
1:00 PM CAVALRY SKIRMISH in front of Presidio La Bahia
2:00 PM LIVING HISTORY inside the walls of Presidio La Bahia
3:00 PM BATTLE OF COLETO CREEK in front of Presidio La Bahia
4:00 PM LIVING HISTORY inside the walls of Presidio La Bahia
5:00 PM GATES CLOSE
6:30-9:00 PM CANDLELIGHT TOUR—ENTER AT SOUTH GATE inside the walls of Presidio La Bahia
Sunday
9:00 AM GATES OPEN
9:30 AM “ISAAC HAMILTON” PORTRAYAL inside the walls of Presidio La Bahia
10:00 AM DEATH MARCH FROM CHAPEL TO MASSACRE SITE
Followed by: “ISAAC HAMILTON” PORTRAYAL inside the walls of Presidio La Bahia
Followed by: EXECUTION OF COL. FANNIN & THE OTHER TEXIANS inside the walls of Presidio La Bahia
11:30 AM MEMORIAL SERVICE BEGINS IN THE CHAPEL, PROCESSES TO THE ANGEL OF GOLIAD PLAZA WITH THE PROCESSION CONTINUING TO THE FANNIN MONUMENT FOR THE CONCLUSION OF THE MEMORIAL SERVICE
Battle of Coleto Creek Reenactment
Battle of Coleto Creek Reenactment (Saturday 3:00 p.m.
James Fannin surrenders to General Urea the second morning of battle after Urrea’s troops have been reinforced with heavy artillery. Fannin and his troops are marched back to the Presidio; those too wounded to walk are left on the prairie and brought back to the Presidio after two or three days. Though the real (Battle of Coleto Creek took place many miles away, it’s reenacted in front of the Presidio for convenience.
Presidio La Bahia Candlelight Tour (Saturday 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
A limited number of tickets are sold for the Candlelight Tour, and they typically sell out on Saturday morning. Candlelight Tours take place inside the Presidio La Bahia on Saturday night. Your tour lets you silently bear witness to historical scenes, acted out in front of you by the reenactors themselves. You see the aftermath of the battles you witnessed during the day, and you experience the conflict leading up to the Goliad Massacre, which you will see on Sunday morning.
Death March From Chapel To Actual Massacre Site (Sunday 10:00 a.m.)
Meet outside the Presidio Chapel with hundreds of others, and follow the Texian prisoners and their Mexican captors on a march to the actual massacre site. There, the Goliad Massacre is reenacted as you stand in reverent silence. Followed by Memorial Service that starts in chapel, then a pocession to the Fannin Monument for the conclusion of the memorial service.
About the Goliad Massacre
Around 6:00 a.m. on Palm Sunday, March 27, 1836, after being held captive for one week, Colonel Fannin’s men were told to gather up their things. They thought that they were going to the Port of Copano and then on to New Orleans. They were happy and singing. They knew that Colonel Fannin had returned from the Port of Copano the previous day. What they didn’t know was that at 7:00 p.m. the pervious evening, Colonel Portilla had received word directly from General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna to execute the men. About an hour after Portilla received the excution order from Santa Anna, he received another order from General Urrea to “Treat the prisoners with consideration, particularly their leader, Fannin, and to employ them in rebuilding Goliad.”
Mark your calendar today so you won’t miss the next Goliad Massacre Reenactment and Living History Program, and don’t forget that early camping reservation.
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