I'm planning to go tomorrow. Anyone ever been and have any parking advice? What time to try and be there to get a decent parking place if at all possible.

Really need to take the kids before they get too old and cool to do stuff like this, just can't make it happen this year.

Please post your experience, best places to park, etc. for next year, please.

I haven't been out there for a San Jacinto Day celebration in a loooonnng time, but bring good walking shoes or a bicycle. Parking lots aren't really big enough for any big event, so people will then park along the road outside the gates.

SWCBonfire said:

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Really need to take the kids before they get too old and cool to do stuff like this, just can't make it happen this year.

Please post your experience, best places to park, etc. for next year, please.

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Overall, experience was good. Parking wasn't as bad as I had anticipated. The weather was beautiful and there were lots of people.

Re-enactment: Great job done by the volunteers, but IMHO, they tried to do too much with too little. The reenactment took place in the field in front of the monument beside the reflecting pool and NOT where the battle actually happens in the Mexican encampment behind the monument and in front of Peggy Lake. There were not enough actors to really do it justice.

Future events:
Hopefully more people will participate. Hopefully they will move it to he actual spot. Hopefully they focus on the Batte itself. They began with events 2 days prior where Texians and Mexicans traded cannon fire before retreating to where they would be for the actual battle on April 21st. This was confusing to many people standing around me as it led them to believe that happened where this reenactment was. Taking place. I had to explain that the Battle of SJ was over in 18 minutes and didn't actually happen where this was staged.

Good things:

The surrender of SA to Gen Houston was well done. I have some photos of that.

valvemonkey91 said:

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SWCBonfire said:

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Really need to take the kids before they get too old and cool to do stuff like this, just can't make it happen this year.

Please post your experience, best places to park, etc. for next year, please.

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Overall, experience was good. Parking wasn't as bad as I had anticipated. The weather was beautiful and there were lots of people.

Re-enactment: Great job done by the volunteers, but IMHO, they tried to do too much with too little. The reenactment took place in the field in front of the monument beside the reflecting pool and NOT where the battle actually happens in the Mexican encampment behind the monument and in front of Peggy Lake. There were not enough actors to really do it justice.

Future events:
Hopefully more people will participate. Hopefully they will move it to he actual spot. Hopefully they focus on the Batte itself. They began with events 2 days prior where Texians and Mexicans traded cannon fire before retreating to where they would be for the actual battle on April 21st. This was confusing to many people standing around me as it led them to believe that happened where this reenactment was. Taking place. I had to explain that the Battle of SJ was over in 18 minutes and didn't actually happen where this was staged.

Good things:

The surrender of SA to Gen Houston was well done. I have some photos of that.

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The are called Re-enactors or living historians. They wear uniforms; not "costumes".

That's the trouble with re-enactments. Either you don't have enough to properly "portray" the battle or you have huge numbers and the "visitors" can't grasp all that is taking place. I have taken in both types of events. The huge events are truly spectacular (even to the reenactors themselves) in just the sheer number of participants. 1/2 mile or more long battle lines with 40 guns and 100 cavalry (just on one side) are stupid crazy.

The other problem with historically accurate battle is it is nearly impossible to do. Lots of spectators driving hours and walking for 30 minutes and sitting waiting for two hours don't work want an 18 minute battle. Lots of places don't let you have "shame" battles on the actual battlefield. Very rare if they do.

Time for the doors on the monument to change. They are one of a kind and picture the 6 flags of Texas. That confederate flag needs to go. Wasn't even conceived of at the time.

Quote:

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Future events:

Hopefully more people will participate.

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I know a way you can make that happen:

"We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help with educational programs, period acting and history reenactment, prairie restoration, site maintenance, photography, woodworking, and more. No prior knowledge is required to become a volunteerwe will provide training and educational resources."

https://www.thc.texas.gov/historic-sites/san-jacinto-battleground/volunteer-opportunities