SPORTS + OUTDOORS

Jesse H. Jones Park invites you to their annual Pioneer Day!  Sat., Nov. 13, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. This free family event demonstrates what life was like for early East Texas settlers and how they survived without modern day conveniences like refrigerators, gasoline-powered vehicles and electricity. 

As the park comes alive with the sights, sounds and flavors of settler life, visitors of all ages have teh opportunity to enjoy a variety of demonstrations.

They can enjoy seldom-seen crafts and skills, sample old-fashioned foods, enjoy festive folk music at the outdoor stages,  and many other activities scheduled throughout the day.

Festivities are held in the green space at the front of the park and at the Redbud Hill Homestead.  Staff members and volunteers transform the Redbud Hill Homestead into a living, working settlement of the 1800s where samples of cornbread from the bread oven, jerky from the smokehouse and stick bread and hoecakes cooked over an open fire are available.

Volunteers in the wood shop demonstrate how useful tools, furniture and other items were fashioned out of wood, while volunteers in the blacksmith shop show off their metal working skills.

Don Roe and other members of Roe's Rangers demonstrate black powder weapons of all types including pistols and cannons.

Other pioneer skills to be demonstrated include quilting, leather working, lye soap making, gardening, American Indian crafts, and much more.  Visitors can even try on period costumes and have their picture taken in a variety of settings.

Youth activities include making beeswax candlesw, writing with a quill, shelling and grinding corn, washing clothes on a washboard and churning butter, which are typical chores of children in the 1830s.  Children visiting the park can also listen to American Indian folklore, shoot bows and arrows, make paper bonnets, bead bracelets, or craft cornhusk dolls.

Hayrides will be offered from 10am to 4pm from the playground parking lot to the park entrance, and from the park entrance to the homestead.

Jesse H. Jones Park and Nature Center is located at 20634 Kenswick Drive in Humble.  All programs are free of charge and open to the public.  For information about the park or any of its programs, call 281-446-8588 or visit www.hcp4.net/jones.