Discover Come and Take It in Gonzales, TX

Discover Come and Take It in Gonzales, TX

Every October, the small town of Gonzales, Texas, swells with visitors in honor of the Come and Take It Celebration. Before Texans cried, “Remember the Alamo,” a fight over a single cannon began the Texas Revolution. A white flag with the cannon and the phrase “Come and Take It” flew over a group of Texans resisting the Mexican army. The group successfully held off the army, thus starting the Texas Revolutionary War with the Battle of the Gonzales.

Gonzales, Texas, is just over an hour from San Antonio.

This post was a part of a sponsored trip to Gonzales, Texas, that included lodging, meals, and compensation for the event. The opinions reflected are honest and unbiased based on the individual blogger’s experience.

Related: Top Things To Do In Gonzales, TX With Kids

Celebrating Come and Take It in Gonzales, Texas

Dates for Come and Take It Festival 2022 have not been posted.

For over 200 years, Gonzales has celebrated this pivotal event. The town center fills up with food vendors, concert stands, and an old-school carnival. A parade marches alongside Civil War homes, and a reenactment plays at the Pioneer Village. It is historical fun for all ages from morning until night, and we were fortunate enough to be invited to join in.

The Annual Come and Take It Festival in Gonzales, Texas, is a celebration that commemorates the first shot fired for Texas Independence.

Guests come to enjoy:

• arts & craft vendors
• a carnival
• live music
• a parade
• reenactments
• a petting zoo
• chicken flying contest
• bingo on the Square
• food prepared by local nonprofit organizations
• an art show
• photography contest
• quilt show
• softball tournament
• golf tournament
• disk golf tournament
• cook-offs and so much more!

If you are looking for all of the tips you need for the Come and Take It Festival –  keep reading!

Family Fun In Gonzales, TX

Balloons, Photo Boards, and Petting Farms were fun at the Come and Take It Celebration. Kids of all ages joined in, including a few of our crew!

Photo Credits: Sara Dawkins Phillips, Debra Muccio, Traci Shannon

The Pioneer Village offered an authentic reenactment, and the volunteer cast is committed and provides a distinctive, one-of-a-kind experience.

Even the modern has a vintage feel, with the streets of town offering nostalgia at every turn, from antique stores to ice cream shops. Walking down the streets is much like a ride in a time machine.

Photo Credits: Traci Shannon, Jill Robbins

One of those sweetly nostalgic spots is Sweet B’s Desserts – a throwback to the classic sweets shop. Freshly made bakery treats by collections of tea towels and other delightful kitchen accessories.

At the Robert Lee Brothers Memorial Library, the team took in the incredible artifacts from the Texas Revolution and beyond. The city of Gonzales provided us with history and family fun at every turn.

Come and Take It Gonzoles, Texas Festival Tips

Bring Cash

You’ll need cash to purchase tickets for food and the carnival rides.

Prepare Before You Go

Dress for the weather and wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes. Prepare to WALK! Parking can be sparse. You’ll likely have to park several blocks away and walk to the Festival.

Make A Plan

There are so many events happening during the Festival. Getting a schedule and planning for your time in Gonzales is essential for a good time!

Know Where to Find the Restrooms

Knowing where restrooms are is a crucial part of any outing! When you make your plan, pinpoint the bathrooms. Pack tissues and hand sanitizer in your bag if the facilities are out of toilet paper, soap, and paper towels.

There is SO MUCH to see and do at the Come and Take It Festival, so don’t expect to get it all done in one visit unless you spend all your time in the Square. I highly recommend visiting the Festival, though, because it’s such a blast!