160th anniversary

East Texas Sacred Harp Convention - 160th anniversary 

IN one month, on Saturday August 8 and Sunday August 9 we will celebrate the 160th anniversary of the East Texas Sacred Harp Convention. This Convention was organized in 1855 as the East Texas Musical Convention. It is the second oldest continuous Sacred Harp singing convention in the United States, and the oldest singing convention in Texas.

Festivities include: Singing, singing and more singing! Eating Bar-B-Q! 

We will meet in the Henderson Civic Center, located at 1500 Lake Forest Parkway - this is off of State Hwy 64 west of the traffic star in Henderson, Texas. There will be "continental breakfast"/refreshments provided, and the convention will provide lunch both days. Singing will kick off at 9:30 a.m. Saturday morning. We use the The Sacred Harp, 2012 Cooper Revision. On Saturday night we will have a Mexican dish "social". The social will be an informal get together -- eat, visit, and sing if you want to. If you want to sing we encourage you to bring copies of songs in the shape note tradition. You might need as many as 50 copies.

Below is Hotel/Motel information for the East Texas Sacred Harp Convention; The hotels are offering the following rates. 

Baymont Inn 
Hwy 259/79, Henderson, TX 
(903) 657-7900 
Single or Double $94.00 

Best Western of Henderson 
Hwy 259 South Henderson, TX 
(903) 657-9561 
Single $65.00 
Double $70.00

Days Inn 
US Hwy 79 S, Henderson, TX 
(903) 657-8789 
Double $65.00 

Holiday Inn Express 
Hwy 259 N, Henderson, TX 
(903) 657-5250 
Double $96.95 

Woodland Hills 
1204 Hwy 79 N, Henderson, TX 
(903) 657-2511 
Contact person: Steve Patel Call for rates 

All these establishments have continental breakfast. Motel room rates are for the room, plus 13% tax. Be sure and make your reservations soon. Please say you are with the East Texas Sacred Harp Convention and ask for the convention rate. Cancellation policies vary; please check with the particular establishment where you reserve your room. If you have any problems, please let us know.

In addition to hotels/motels, there are three nearby RV Parks. 

Please call them for their rates for that weekend. 

Cross and Sons RV Park 
300 Pinecrest Drive Henderson, TX 
(903) 854-2997 Call for rates 

H and H RV Park 
3805 Hwy 79 S Henderson, TX 
(903) 836-2006 Call for rates 

The RV Park 
2068 TX Hwy 323 Henderson, TX 
(903) 658-2878 (903) 658-2790 
(This is a new park that is 1.4 miles from the Civic Center) Call for rates

Make plans to sing with us. Your presence will make it better and us gladder. 

Texas Fasola