Category Archives: Past Events

Homestead Pioneer Festival • April 16 Noon-5pm at the Homestead at KF Park

The annual Wells Branch Pioneer Festival celebrates Texas history Saturday, April 16, Noon – 5:00 p.m. The Homestead Festival is centered around the historic Gault Homestead, the 1850s-era cabin in Katherine Fleischer Park and will feature fun and educational activities throughout the day so residents can experience a taste of life in 19th Century Texas.

There’ll be lots of FREE FUN for the whole family.  Free pony rides, a petting zoo and photos with a Texas Longhorn.  Live entertainment from the Jimmy Sims Trio, Austin Banjo Club, the New Orleans Jazz Band of Austin and Better Late Than Never.  Free demonstrations and exhibits include weavers, lace makers, quilting lessons, spinners, Indian sandal making, rope making, syrup making and butter churning, antique bikes, antique guns & Buffalo Soldiers, just to name a few.

In addition, refreshments offered by the Wells Branch MUD and the Wells Branch Soccer Assn. will be available for purchase.  There will be roasted corn, turkey legs, funnel cakes, hot dogs, sausage wraps and cold drinks.

To quote Bill Todd, retired Wells Branch historian,  “The homestead is both a symbol of change and link between past and present.  Pioneer values like ingenuity, resourcefulness and recycling have endured.  Texas always will be a frontier as long as imagination survives.”

Bring the whole family and join us for a day of living history.

Volunteers are needed for the following game and demonstration stations:

Tug-O-War, Sack Races, and 3-Legged Race; Pole Climbing and Log Horse; Washer Pitching and horse shoes (games); Candle making (no fire or hot wax); Bunny stitching Craft; Cowboy Toss (game); Barbed Wire Display and Buffalo Display; Bull Lasso (needs to be able to work a lasso); Corn Sheller; Stilts, Hoop Rolling (no need to be able to walk on stilts); Syrup Making; Clothes Washing Station; and “where needed”

Any amount of time you have to give will be appreciated.  To volunteer for this event, contact Matt Fuller at 251-9814 or mfuller@wellsbranchmud.com

Happy 100th Birthday, Ruby!!!

The Silver Branchers are celebrating our very own centenarian!

Ruby Faye Bryan Lythgoe was born April 24th 1911 in Pueblo, Colorado. She is a retired teacher who keeps all children in her heart today. Ruby became a member of Silver Branchers in 1986. She was honored by the group with a paver on her 99th birthday.

Since her retirement Ruby has volunteered with North Central Caregivers, Literacy program in Austin, and the elementary children reading program in Pflugerville schools.

Thank you Ruby for being a great mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend and mentor to all who know you.

Happy 100th Birthday with Love from Your Family & Friends!

Garden Guild Meeting Thursday!

Richard Fadal, founder of TexaScapes, will speak on Thursday evening, March 3,  at 7:00 PM at the WB library.  His topic will be the use of Organic Pesticides for Lawn and Garden.  Richard’s group maintains the WB parks, and was the first commercial service to feature the use of organics rather than chemical pesticides.  This is a very crucial area of knowledge and practice for both our lawns and gardens.  Come get your questions answered and learn the best way to control your insects and pests.  Help keep us all healthy and our waterways safe from pollution.

Please see the Garden Guild page under Community for more details.