Western Heritage Day By: Brett Briggeman

Western Heritage Day is coming up soon at Hardin-Simmons University (HSU). This event focuses on highlighting the heritage of the school and surrounding area serving as a great way to educate young and old alike of our larger history.

Cassie Mattern, director of Events at HSU is in charge of spearheading Western Heritage Day. Mattern spoke on how she loves the creative aspect of her role.

“My favorite part of my role is the variety and creativity it requires,” Mattern said. “No two days are the same, and I enjoy solving problems, thinking through logistics and bringing events to life. I also value the opportunity to work with people across campus and contribute to furthering the mission of HSU through meaningful experiences.”

Mattern went on to emphasize the large-scale impact of this kind of event, not just in the community but also in elementary aged children.

“This event impacts over 3,000 elementary school students each year,” Mattern said. “I love being able to [spearhead] this event, which at this point has seen over 120,000 people in its 43 year history, and hopefully for many many years to come.”

“We want to give people a glimpse of what Texas was like in the 1800s,” Mattern said. “There will be branding demonstrations, story telling, chuck wagon, roping, peg dolls, wash stations, petting zoos, the Six White Horses, horse shoeing, performances by the World Famous Cowboy Band, HSU Department of Theatre  and a new addition is the Abilene Zoo will be joining us to share about the bison and their importance and impact on Texas. Many of our booths are traditions that lead back to the first Western Heritage Day in 1982.  Over the years a few offerings have changed, but for the most part the Western Heritage Day has remained largely unchanged.”

Mattern said that students are also welcome to come and see the event for themselves.

“HSU Students are welcome to come check out the event,” Mattern said, “but just know you will be surrounded by thousands of our tiny neighbors from around the Big Country.”

Be sure to come out and support our school and community by attending Western Heritage Day on Thursday, April 23. The event will last almost all day, so there is plenty of time to come and see the many exciting attractions the events team has to offer this year.