The rolling, bluebonnet covered hills of Dr. Gary and Vicki Friedman’s O2 Ranch were the site of an old-time, Texas styled party honoring our Texas heritage.

More than 300 party goers pulled on their boots, donned their Stetsons, and traveled down wildflower covered roads on a glorious April day to the Friedman’s 875 acre family ranch.

Vicki and Gary wanted an event that would bring together three Washington County organizations which preserve and promote our Texas heritage. The primary beneficiary of the event was Washington-on-the-Brazos State Park Association and the affiliated Texas Heritage Ranch Association, which provide financial and other support to the park. The Ron Stone Foundation, another beneficiary, promotes Texas history and historians, with its primary goal being the upkeep of the Park, and support of the student visitation program. Finally, members of the Washington County Fair Association youth scholarship program were on hand. The Fair program helps prepares the next generation of Texans to carry on the Texas way of life. Dr. Friedman said the family wanted to bring together people from different organizations who have “worked hard to preserve our past, enjoy our present and prepare for our future.”

Guests from all over Texas entered the party down a mile long drive lined with more than 200 historical flags provided by the Washington-on-the-Brazos State Park. A reception was held around the pool where guests were entertained to cowboy and western music by Mr. John Pickul. Appetizers, with a beautiful array of dip, salsa and other hors d’oeuvres were donated by Design II of Brenham.

The main party then moved to a covered arena on a hill overlooking a lake. There, folks were treated to a steak and chicken dinner cooked real cowboy style. Even the peach cobbler was made from scratch in Dutch ovens dug in the ground. Mr. Eddie Eppler of Eppler Cowboy Catering and a crew of 6 cowboys cooked and served with the aid of a genuine 100-year-old chuck wagon. The peach cobbler was topped off with vanilla ice cream donated by Blue Bell (it wouldn’t be Washington County without it!). The tables in the arena were covered with red and white table cloths and decorated with floral arrangements from Ellison’s Greenhouse.

Mr. Ron Stone was the master of ceremonies and spoke on the importance of our Texas heritage and what we can do to preserve it. Joe King Fultz, president of the Washington- on-the-Brazos, and Tom Scaggs, manager of the park, told the gathering about the importance of the park and described its current needs. Sassy Stanton of the Texas Heritage Ranch Association invited folks to join the association and support the park.

During the meal and afterwards, the crowd was entertained by “Back at the Ranch” with Clover and Rachael Carroll, Matt Menke and their group,playing western swing and cowboy music.

Allen Commander thrilled the crowd with his portrayal of Sam Houston and the reading of the Travis Letter from the siege of the Alamo. It was pure Texas!

Dr. and Mrs. Friedman welcomed their guests and thanked everyone who helped make the event possible, including Mike Hopkins Distributing of Brenham who donated the kegs of refreshments for both the reception and the dinner. Volunteers from the Washington County Fair were of great assistance with parking and shuttling guests from one site to another on six-passenger golf carts donated by Washington County Tractor of Brenham.