The excitement of fall was in the air October 9 as Goodwin Frazier Elementary School hosted its annual Heritage Night. The
event served as a celebration of New Braunfels’ history, including the smells, sounds and sights of local food, music and dance.
“I look forward to Heritage Night every year because it is a time for our students to have fun learning about the history of New Braunfels with their families,” said Patricia Nieto, Comal ISD’s Social Studies Coordinator. “The Goodwin Frazier staff puts in a lot of time preparing their students for this event.”
Students, families and community members lined up to take part in a number of activities at the annual event including butter churning, German lessons and crafting corn husk dolls. Others took turns using an old-fashioned corn grinder and decorating festive fall cookies. Students had “passports” to fill out, earning stickers for participation in each station.
In addition to the hands-on activities, visitors observed the New Braunfels Smokehouse making sausage and the Heritage Society showing off their weavings and textiles.
There was also a photo booth, silent auction and raffles throughout the evening.
The event was kicked off with the “Chicken Dance” featuring Wurstfest representatives in
traditional German dress. Omas and Opas lead students in dancing to German music throughout the evening.
Heritage Night takes place thanks to the Comal ISD Curriculum & Academics Department, the Greater New Braunfels Convention & Visitors Bureau, and the Ammo Group, along with enthusiastic participation from a number of local sponsors including Wurstfest, Schlitterbahn, the Heritage Society, McKenna Children’s Museum, New Braunfels Smokehouse, Bat Conservation International, Natural Bridge Caverns, the Sophienburg, Charlie’s Bee Company, the Headwaters of Comal, Naeglin’s Bakery and the New Braunfels Fire Department.
This year a Resource Fair was added to the event and included representatives from the City of New Braunfels, the Food Bank, the Health Department, Volunteers in Medicine and many more.
“It is generous of our local museums and community organizations to volunteer their time to make this a special night for our
families to spend the evening together making fun memories,” said Nieto. “We are already looking forward to next year!”
While much of the focus was on the German heritage of town, Mexican culture was celebrated as well with Dia de los Muertos displays, activities and music.
The entire Comal ISD Curriculum and Academics team was delighted with the robust turnout for the annual event.
In Photos:
Jackson (back) Cooper (front) and father John Dunivan dressed in traditional German lederhosen
(L-R) Sisters Sera and Gianna Perez posing with their corn husk dolls
(L-R) Support Teachers Danielle Grinnan and Gayle Meek serving corn bread for the Dia de los Muertos booth