With so many new Texas residents, a nonprofit is organizing a first-ever statewide Welcome to Texas celebration

The event will conclude with a large forum “swearing-in” of all new Texans

Event link: www.TexasCelebration.com

MCKINNEY – September 6, 2023 – With the influx of hundreds of thousands of new residents to Texas this past decade, a group of North Texas volunteers have organized what is labeled as the first annual statewide “Welcome to Texas Boot Scootin’ Roundup,” on Saturday, September23rd, from 4-8PM inside one of the largest barns in Texas at Myers Park in McKinney.

“If you have recently, in the past few years, moved to Texas and fallen in love with your new home, this event is for you. We want to formally welcome and celebrate you becoming a Texan. And, for others born here, or have been in Texas for a long time, we want to give you the opportunity to show Texas hospitality in welcoming these new Texans and acting as ambassadors for our great state,” said Paul Chabot, event co-founder.

This family friendly event is open to all and will have In-N-Out and BBQ food trucks; vendors, dance lessons, bounce house, photo booth, military recruiters, police vehicles, a Texas history speaker, and the grand finale – a large group swearing-in, the highlight of the event, of all new Texas residents by the local county sheriff. Attendees will receive a certificate and card.  Although no true Texan swearing-in exists, this event has created one for fun.

Native Texans are asked to attend and mingle with these new Texans as“ Ambassadors,” share their experiences and advice. Tickets are $15 which include general admission and choice of either an In-N-Out or BBQ meal with chips and a drink.

This statewide celebration has the potential to be big, like, Texas big.  Texas has had the largest increase of people moving to the state between 2021 and 2022, according to U.S. Census Bureau data, gaining 460,708 new residents. Texas now ranks second only to California in overall population.

“My family and I moved to Texas in 2016. We appreciate the opportunity to thrive and live the American dream in one of our nation’s greatest states. Our hope is that we can reach every new resident and invite them to enjoy this celebration among both new and native Texans,” said Chabot.

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Stars and Stripes United is a 501c4 nonprofit promoting civic engagement and history education.