6th Annual Heritage Festival in Harlingen

The Harlingen Arts and Heritage Museum may not be able to save the "glass house" located on property where CMS Pharmacy plans to build a new store, but plenty of historic houses have been preserved over the years.

These will all be on display Saturday, June 27, as the museum, in partnership with the Harlingen Historical Preservation Society, celebrates the Sixth Annual Harlingen Heritage Festival.

This great family event, which is free and open to the public, will feature this year "The History of Education in the Valley" with exhibits, demonstrations, music, dancing and much more.

Presenters for the festival include The Bear Clan, The Tejano Cookers, The Gloria G. Canales Mexican Folklore School of Dance, The Wild Horse Brigade, Mini Miracles LLP and the new Harlingen Community Band.

Native Americans relate various legends concerning the Bear Clan. The following is one of them:

"After he created all other things, Earthmaker created a man and woman in the South, and he appointed them to be in charge of part of the Day (that is, Life).

To the man, he gave charge of all the creatures upon the Earth and in the sky. This man came North from below, and as he came forth a great host of creatures followed after him.

The other clans had already gathered at the place of rendezvous, and when they saw them come, they said, ‘Make room! Our Soldiers have arrived.'

"Then the Soldier spoke to them and said, ‘What Earthmaker created me for, I am here to do. I will protect and make sacred all the cleared land upon which your village stands; and if you call upon your Soldiers to combat sickness, you shall be made well.'

For four days the weather was good and no wind blew from any direction. In such wise was the Soldier in charge of things and circling above him were birds of prey sharp in their talons.

After four days the clans left for their homes. To this day the Bear is still in command of the people."

The Tejano Cookers are a competition barbecue cooking team from Georgetown; The Wild Horse Brigade will wear uniforms of the Texas Revolutionary War and display historical weapons and other items; and Mini Miracles LLP will exhibit the miniature horses they use in therapy programs.

In addition to a tour of historical buildings and the various performances, the day will feature children's games, arts and crafts, a cakewalk and food and drink vendors.