Valley residents and visitors alike should mark their calendars for Pioneer and Ranching Crafts Day, to be held at the Museum of South Texas History, Saturday, February 23, 2013 from 10:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. “This is our most popular event at the museum,” notes organizer Melissa Tijerina.

“Visitors will be able to tour the museum’s outstanding exhibits and enjoy a full day’s worth of activities. Artisans will demonstrate numerous crafts traditional to South Texas and northeastern Mexico, ranging from horsehair braiding and wood carving to quilting, spinning, weaving or butter churning. Visitors to the event should plan to stay for lunch, too, as vendors will be selling freshly-made food, including such specialties as pan de campo, or camp break cooked outdoors over hot coals, and aguas frescas, or fresh fruit drinks.”

As always, this year’s event will appeal to all ages, with craft demonstrations, musical and dance performances, as well as special activities for children. “Although we have a full slate of activities, we are always looking to feature other crafts that are unique and historic to the region,” suggested Tijerina, who asked that interested artisans contact her at the museum. She added that the event features artisans from both the United States and Mexico.

Admission to the event is included in the regular museum admission fee: $7 for adults; $5 for seniors over 62 or active military with ID; $5 for students 12 and over with ID; $4 for children 4 to 10 years; and free admission for children 3 years and under. FRIENDS of the Museum are admitted free as a benefit of FRIENDships. For information on the event or becoming a FRIEND of the Museum, call 956.383.6911 or visit www.mosthistory.org. The Museum of South Texas History is located at 200 North Closner Boulevard on the Hidalgo County Courthouse square in downtown Edinburg.

Here’s a video from Channel 4 from last year interviewing Martha Elena Peña with the Museum of South Texas History: