It's Independence Relay time in Gonzales: Stage set for inaugural running event in county

By GREG LITTLE/publisher@gonzalesinquirer.com

The stage is set and the players are cast.

All that remains is the firing of the cannon shot early Saturday morning.

The inaugural Texas Independence Relay is all set for Saturday morning in Gonzales. The event will feature relay teams traversing a course from the historic museum in Gonzales to the San Jacinto Monument east of Houston.

The event is being organized to commemorate the unique history of independence in Texas. Runners from all across America are scheduled to participate in the event and each one of them - along with their support teams and some with friends and family members - will make Gonzales their first stop.

That could translate into an nice economic impact for the city and county.

"That is one of the reasons for all of our tourism," said Bob Burchard, one of the organizers of the race. "We have a story to tell and it can be economically beneficial for us."

Gerri Lawing, economic development director for the city, said the economic impacts will be diverse. Whether it's someone spending the night in a motel, others shopping downtown and many eating at a restaurant, it all adds up.

Burchard said one of the goals of this year's event is to hopefully do it well enough the race organizers will want to make it an annual race in Texas.

"We want to build it, increase it," said Burchard.

He said the eventual goal is to build all of it around Texas Independence, which is celebrated annually in Gonzales.

In fact, this year that celebration is today with various activities around the city. On the heels of that will be a pasta dinner provided for the runners tonight at Victoria College.

Lawing said 375 runners have signed up for the dinner.

"That's amazing in itself," said Burchard.

The reason, he said, is because Gonzales cannot accommodate that many people, meaning some are staying elsewhere in the area but coming in for the dinner and then coming back the next day for the race.

Mayor Bobby O'Neal will present a key to the city to Jay and Joy Hilscher, the race organizers.

It was the Hilschers who first approached local officials about this concept of putting on a Texas Independence Relay. He wanted to showcase the history of the state as the theme for the race.

Burchard said it was a natural fit to start the 203-mile race, which has 40 legs, in Gonzales. Runners will go through Gonzales, Shiner, Flatonia, Schulenburg, Weimar, Columbus, Eagle Lake, Simonton and La Porte as they wind their way to the San Jacinto Monument.

Gonzales was chosen as the start because the first shot of the Texas Revolution was fired here in 1835 and it finishes at the monument in Houston because that is where Texans overwhelmed the Mexican army in a surprise attack six months later.

The race will begin in front of the historic museum on Smith Street. The museum will be open at 7 a.m. Saturday for visitors.

In front of the museum, city workers have installed two large poles where a 25-foot by 40-foot Texas flag will hang at the start-finish line.

Lawing commended city workers for getting the museum grounds cleaned up and in pristine condition for the event.

Organizers also have a large Come and Take It flag which will be displayed near the museum.

"We are ready," said Lawing.

Both Lawing and Burchard had nothing but praise for the many volunteers who will be doing everything from organizing parking to serving breakfast tacos to simply filling in where needed.

"We could not do this without all of the wonderful volunteers," said Lawing.

Also during the day, residents in the area will be hearing cannon fire as runners leave the starting line. The first shot will be fired at 6 a.m. and then periodically throughout each hour of the day as runners leave.

The story behind the firing of the cannon is an interesting one, as well.

Burchard said a man named Joe Snow from White Oak will be firing the cannon. Snow became associated with Gonzales in a unique way.

A few years ago, one of his children graduated from Texas State University, so they came to south Texas for the graduation. On the visit, they went to the Bob Bullock Museum in Austin and saw all of the information about Gonzales and what it means to the history of Texas.

According to Burchard, Snow said something to the effect that he could make a cannon which resembles the First Shot cannon and he wanted to know where Gonzales was located.

Snow contacted local officials about his idea and used his metal working craft to make the cannon. He's been at the past couple of Come and Take It celebrations, even putting the cannon in the parades. He also takes it out to the Cost area where the first shot was fired. There he fires a ceremonial shot to signify the beginning of the Texas Revolution.

Snow enjoys firing the cannon so much that Burchard contacted him when the race was being organized and convinced him this would be a great opportunity to fire the cannon a whole lot in one day. He's bringing five pounds of powder, which should be enough to fire for the entire event.

Another aspect of the event organizers are hoping comes to fruition is getting some of the runners and their families back to Gonzales for a visit. Lawing said all of the historical information has been sent to each team entered into the event.

She noted that many of the runners will be from Texas and hopes they will be intrigued by Gonzales and plan a day-trip or more to this area.

"The project is appealing to all arenas of the community," said Lawing.

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