Waller County Judge Trey Duhon had a vision to celebrate the Waller County Sesquicentennial on May 5 with a grand celebration.

He organized a committee, invited county residents and asked several people to take the lead. Robert Pechukas, policy and administration director for the Waller County Commissioners Court and Walter Sass, of Weisser Engineering and Surveying, were selected to lead the team. Jackie H. Craver, local volunteer and Mary Kay Cosmetics director, became the leader of a small group of experienced volunteers to create events for the celebration and then took on the volunteer events coordination.

After months of work, the Waller County Sesquicentennial schedule of events has evolved into two weeks of celebrations, covering the entire county and culminating on May 5 at the Waller County Courthouse.

The county-wide events start with the presentation of the 150th Proclamation at Waller County Commissioners Court at 9 a.m. April 19, followed by the official kick-off at 10 a.m. on April 28 at the Waller County Courthouse.

The Hempstead Garden Club will host the Sesquicentennial Tea & Fashion Show at The Grand Texana at 12 p.m. for lunch (pre-sale tickets only). The Sesquicentennial Queen’s Contest and Judging is that evening at 6:30 p.m. at the Hempstead High School auditorium. All girls who live in Waller County and are seniors in high school, graduating in May, are eligible to enter the contest.

Applications are available on the Waller County website, co.waller.tx.us. From the website, click the 150th Celebration tab. Completed applications are due by April 6. Scholarships are $2,000 for the queen, $1,500 for the princess and $750 for the duchess.

The Sesquicentennial Parade is April 29 in Hempstead, the Waller County seat, and begins with lineup of all entries at 9 a.m. on FM 1887 and San Antonio Street near the Waller County Library. The parade, sponsored by the City of Hempstead, will bring to life the theme “Celebrating 150 Years!”, rolling down the streets of Hempstead at 10 a.m. The Parade Entry form is on the Waller County website.

Following the parade, the celebration will move to the Waller County Fairgrounds for the Annual 4-H BBQ, Auction and 4-H Queen’s Contest. There will be lots of Sesquicentennial events with something for everyone in the family, from the youngest to the oldest. Events will include an Antique Car & Tractor Show, Art Show, Quilt Show, and Ole West Reenactment. All fliers, guidelines, and entry forms can be found on the Waller County website. The sesquicentennial celebrations on this day will conclude with the crowning of the sesquicentennial queen, princess and duchess & presentation of the scholarships and music by Texas Swing Unlimited.

On April 30, an old-fashioned Social in the Park will take place at the Hempstead Downtown Gazebo, with food, games and entertainment from 1-5 p.m.

Waller County Judge Trey Duhon will officiate the 150th Sesquicentennial Day on May 5 beginning at 1 p.m. on the front lawn of the Waller County Courthouse. The Brothers of the Brush (beard contest), the Sesquicentennial Belles, and Oldest Native Resident (woman and man) will be introduced. At 2 p.m., the Centennial Capsule that was buried on May 5, 1973, will be opened. A new Bicentennial (200th) capsule will be created to be opened on May 5, 2073. There will also be a 150th Waller County Birthday Cake.

Many county cities and communities will celebrate their importance in Waller County history. The City of Brookshire will start the city celebrations at 10 a.m. April 22 in Downtown Brookshire. Events will include family fun activities and a business fair. Brown Sugar Band will conclude the day with favorite songs and music.

On April 23, the Monaville Community will have an old-fashioned ice cream social with desserts, games for the young and old, including free ice cream for all, bounce house for the kids, and corn hole. Festivities will take place at the Monaville Volunteer Fire Department on Cochran Road.

On May 1, the City of Pattison will host a Waller County Branding Party and dinner from 3-7 p.m. People are encouraged to bring their old brands that are registered in Waller County. Mayor Joe Garcia will be on hand to brand a commemorative board.

On May 2, the City of Waller will host an open house from 1-5 p.m. at City Hall and the new Waller Museum. A proclamation will be read at 3 p.m. by Mayor Danny Marburger. Refreshments will be served.

On May 3, Prairie View will celebrate with a farmers’ market experience at the College of Agriculture and Human Sciences at 10 a.m. in the Carden-Waller Cooperative Extension Building on the Prairie View A&M University campus. A lunch and tour will then be sponsored by the City of Prairie View, with Mayor Ron Leverett.

On May 4, Katy will celebrate at Katy Heritage Park with tours of the park and its homes from 6-8:30 p.m., with Mayor Dusty Thiele reading a proclamation in celebration of the Waller County Sesquicentennial. Refreshments will be served.

All related information, fliers, entry forms, etc. can be found on the Waller County website co.waller.tx.us. From the website click the Waller County Sesquicentennial (150th) Celebration link. Information is also on the Facebook page: Waller County Sesquicentennial 05/05/23. Email wallercounty150@gmail.com.