Experience star-spangled living history festivities at Pioneer Farms on Saturday, July 1, featuring new exhibits, an 1800s magic show, live music and 19th century games that are sure to entertain — just like the days on the Texas frontier.

The special event will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., to beat the Texas summer heat!

Each site will have a U.S. flag displayed with the appropriate number of stars, plus 1800s games where you can reenact holiday history rolling rings or playing quoits. Make a take-home cockade, a knot of colorful ribbons that were popular at celebrations during the 1800s.

Watch the 1800s magic show of Professor Cornelius Marvel (a.k.a noted reenactor Chris Walden), with Ms. Felicity Carmichael, will be staged at 10 a.m. and Noon. The Celtaire String Band will play 1800s music in our historic Wessels dance hall.

There will also be artisans and pioneering demonstrations at our 1800s history sites — including sneak previews of our ongoing reconstruction of the 1890s Dodson Farm House, home to one of Texas’ Freedom Colony leaders after the Civil War, and the just-restored 1850s Stone Blockhouse, once used to repel attacks from frontier marauders.

The day will be Austin’s version of a midsummer festival, a popular activity in the late 1800s. Regular admission will be charged, an old-fashioned Texas bargain.

The event is sponsored by our friends at Big Red Soda and 7Up.

Buy advance tickets for this festive event to avoid lines at the gate. Tickets will also be available for sale at the gate. Please note: No refunds on advance ticket sales. All tickets sales are final. No exceptions. No dogs or other pets are allowed on the tours.