Goliad will host the Texas Independence Trail Region’s (TTIR) 9th annual Texian Volunteer Rally on Feb. 10. The rally is called “Telling Our Story,” and is designed to provide an opportunity to gather, network and attend workshops related to heritage tourism.

“The rally is a good starting point for communities which are interested in capitalizing on their heritage tourism opportunities,” said Edith Fischer, director of tourism for the Brazosport Area Chamber of Commerce and chair of the Texas Independence Trail Region board of directors. It offers Goliad area leaders an excellent opportunity for interaction with heritage tourism leaders throughout the Texas Independence Trail region, and to seek ways to develop regional approaches to promotion of Goliad’s heritage attractions.

This year, for the first time, the Texian Volunteer Rally will be held twice in different areas of the heritage region. The first rally will be held on Feb. 10 in Goliad at Presidio La Bahia on Highway 183 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. The second rally will be held on Feb. 20 in Katy at the Katy VFW Hall, located at 6202 George Bush Drive.

The Goliad program will consist of a report from the Texas Historical Commission by Mark Wolfe, the chief deputy executive director of THC; a keynote talk by Tweed Scott, author of “Texas Mantra: No is NOT an Option;” a report by Robert Oliver on building community support for creation of the Chisholm Trail Heritage Museum; and a talk by Chad Burke, project director of Economic Alliance of Houston Port Region on the San Jacinto Historic District. There will also be a lunch, door prizes and a silent auction.

Both rallies are for anyone interested in boosting attendance, promoting and creating advocacy for their heritage tourism resources. Chambers, convention and visitors bureaus, employees and board members, Main Street managers, travel industry organizers, local public officials, city managers, economic development corporations, county historical commissioners, museum directors, curators and other heritage association members should plan to attend.

This opportunity is for industry professionals to exchange information about the TTIR and the Texas Historical Commission’s (THC) Texas Heritage Trails Program (THTP) in order to forge new partnerships that benefit everyone who participates. Our individual accomplishments pale in comparison to what we can do collectively.

The Texas Independence Trail Region is part of the historic trails program which stems from a Texas Historical Commission regional tourism initiative. The program helps Texas communities encourage heritage tourism, revitalize local economies and foster community leadership through historic preservation.

For more information on the 9th annual Texian Volunteer Rally, including the program, cost and registration information, contact Lee Towns, regional coordinator, at 281-239-9235, or e-mail coordinator@texasindependencetrail.com.

To register for the rally go online to www.texasindependencetrail.org, download the information packet and follow the instructions on the registration page. For more information in Goliad, contact the Chamber of Commerce at 361-645-3563.