Hardin-Simmons University will open the campus for over 3,500 elementary aged students and parents to celebrate Western Heritage Day on April 27 from 8:30 a.m. to approximately 1:00 p.m.
For over four decades this event has been held annually to demonstrate to area students what life might have been like in the Old West during the 1800s using an immersive and hands-on approach.
“I have a really big soft spot for Western Heritage Day,” Elly Davis, a senior communication sciences and disorders major from Frisco said. “The CSD students run a craft booth each year and the memories made have been outstanding. It’s a really sweet event that gives back to the community and lets you enjoy some time with friends.”
There are several things for students to participate in or view during Western Heritage Day, including an HSU branding pit, boot and hat making demonstrations, face painting, folk music and dancing, sheep shearing and much more.
“I am very excited to get to be a part of this event,” Jenna Kendrick, a freshman undecided major from Abilene said. “I went to this event when I was a kid and I loved it so much. Now, I get to be with the Six White Horses and perhaps inspire another little girl.”
With the amount of students, teachers and parents expected to come to the event, HSU students are asked to volunteer for any of four time slots. For each hour they volunteer, students can earn up to four hours of chapel credit. The link to sign up is https://hsutx.wufoo.com/forms/whd-2023-student-volunteer-sign-up/.
“Western Heritage Day is a really fun tradition that students get to participate in,” Avery Pardue, a junior Christian studies major from Lubbock said. “Volunteers have a unique opportunity to reach out to kids in the community and make their day a little more special.”
