Experience ranch life and culture during Ranch Fest from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, February 10, at the Museum of South Texas History.

Ranch life and culture demonstrations such as rope making, roping cattle and horseshoe making will showcase how these important tools were used on the cattle trail. Other demonstrations focused on ranch living are knitting, wood carving and leather work. New this year is boot making, featuring the Mandujano Brothers from Weslaco, which is a long-standing tradition for vaqueros, ranch hands and owners. The brothers will also create a makeshift workspace using the business’ 40-year-old working bench. Cappadona Ranch will share the process of making mesquite beans into coffee and flour—both products can be purchased at the Museum Store.

Regional organizations such as the Community Historical and Archaeology Project for Schools, or CHAPS, from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and the East Foundation will educate the community with two new activities. CHAPS will identify distinct types of South Texas arrowpoints using a digging pit, and The East Foundation will explain the process of preparing cattle cuts. From 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., local snake handler Fred Zaidan will present South Texas snakes along with other pet-friendly natives.

For more hands-on activities, visitors can grab yarn, a plastic needlepoint and embroider a flower, making a neat home décor item. Another activity will feature painting Styrofoam cacti, representing the South Texas prickly pear. For those who are not inclined to arts and crafts can enjoy activities and a game in the Cattle Kingdom galleries upstairs. Visitors can create their own cattle brand using a Cattle Brand registration form. Then, visitors will don a personalized sheriff’s badge to “catch” the cattle thief—a game filled with clues and riddles.
To enhance the living history demonstration, Los Liberadores and friends will bring a 19th century wagon and tipi. Buffalo Bill will walk around the museum grounds for photo opportunities.

Children-friendly activities include a book presentation featuring local author Patty York Raymond who will read “ABCs to Ranching” in the Mezzanine area. PaperPie, a local book seller, will have a variety of ranch-related books for purchase.

Other ranch-inspired items can be found at the Museum Store such as heritage cookbooks, western-theme coasters, and ranch history books. Several western-theme paintings produced by local artist Isaac Guerra will be on display and available for purchase.

Visitors who plan to stay during lunch time can grab a bite to eat from a variety of food vendors selling a variety of ranch-style cuisine. E&B Elotes will roast elote, or corn on a cob, and serve aguas frescas. Big Cal’s BBQ will prepare a variety of barbecue favorites such as brisket. Peques Burgers will serve tacos, chili dogs, and charro beans. Local food vendors will also serve pulled pork sandwiches and pan de campo. Those who need a caffeine boost can enjoy coffee prepared by Kairos and pair with a piece of pan dulce by La Mexicana Bakery.

Dine-in seating will face the Ranch Fest stage on the museum parking lot, so visitors can enjoy live performances by local school groups. Performances to feature Edinburg North High School Reverie band followed by Mission High School Folklorico, PSJA Southwest High School Conjunto and La Joya Juarez-Lincoln Mariachi Sol de Oro.

Bring family and friends to enjoy a day at the Museum of South Texas History, Saturday, February 10. Visit www.mosthistory.org/events for the latest updates on Ranch Fest.

FRIENDs of MOSTHistory enjoy free admission to Ranch Fest. Call the museum at (956) 383-6911 to learn more about FRIENDship benefits such as discounts at the Museum Store and invitations to exclusive museum programs.

About Museum of South Texas History

The Museum of South Texas History is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. It is in downtown Edinburg at 200 North Closner Boulevard on the Hidalgo County Courthouse square. Founded in 1967 as the Hidalgo County Historical Museum in the 1910 Hidalgo County Jail, the museum has grown over the decades through a series of expansions to occupy a full city block. In 2003, following the completion of a 22,500 square foot expansion, the museum was renamed the Museum of South Texas History to better reflect its regional scope.

Today, the museum preserves and presents the borderland heritage of South Texas and northeastern Mexico through its permanent collection and the Margaret H. McAllen Memorial Archives and exhibits spanning prehistory through the 20th century. For more information about MOSTHistory, including becoming a FRIEND, visit MOSTHistory.org, like on Facebook and Instagram, follow on Twitter, find on YouTube.