10,000 Events to Fete Independence From Mexico : Sesquicentennial Will Be ‘Big as Texas’

From a rattlesnake roundup to an across-the-state wagon trail ride, the Texas 1986 Sesquicentennial Commission is organizing a celebration that it hopes will rival any World’s Fair.

“Our attitude is we want it as big as Texas,” said Richard Frank, organization director. “In other words, there’s no limit.”

With 10,000 events planned thus far for next year’s 150th anniversary of Texas’ independence from Mexico, Frank said the state “has the potential of having a more exciting and more complete celebration than even the Bicentennial.”

For the last five years the commission, sanctioned by the 1979 state Legislature, has been organizing events for the Sesquicentennial.

In that time, it has registered 1,700 groups that intend to host some type of event, Frank said.

Frank estimates that $20 million will be spent on major statewide events and guesses that a total of about $1.5 billion to $3 billion will be spent when community-sponsored events are added in. The only state funds used are the commission’s operational funds and funds used to get communities started on their projects.

The spending, Frank said, has already been offset by contributions and donations.

“The Sesquicentennial has already made more for the state of Texas than it has cost the state of Texas,” Frank said.

Officials hope to capture a large part of the tourism industry next year. The state is third in the nation in tourism, annually receiving at least 27 million tourists who spend about $14 billion.

However, Texas must compete with a highly publicized World’s Fair in Vancouver, Canada, a Sesquicentennial celebration in Arkansas and the unveiling of the restored Statue of Liberty.

Working in favor of the state are several highly visible projects. In Dallas, the Texas Independence Express Inc. has just launched a $3-million fund-raising campaign to set in motion a 1910 steam locomotive, said Robert Finklea, a representative of the nonprofit group.

Carrying about 20 restored rail cars, the locomotive will make two round trips totaling 5,000 miles and stop in almost 7,100 towns, Finklea said. Retired and active railroaders will run the antique train, which will also carry historical exhibits and passengers.

“Right now we have thousands of people who want tickets on the train,” Finklea said.

The restored engine has served as incentive for many towns to restore old depots that operated in the late 1800s and early 1900s, including a mission-style depot in Sugar Land, Tex.

A six-month wagon train trail ride has generated equal interest, said Jan France, Texas Wagon Train Assn. executive director. The convoy of wagon trains will circle around Texas, stopping at various towns and camping under primitive conditions.

Frank said the commission is also planning a 20,000-ship sail in the Gulf of Mexico, as well as a balloon lift featuring hot-air balloons bearing the Sesquicentennial symbol.

Commissioners are also organizing a 1,836-mile state bicycle rally and a 183.6-mile wheelchair race.