Comanche leader Quanah Parker will always be remembered for his loyalty and leadership in perhaps one of the most pivotal times in American history. With strength and vigor, he led the Quahada band of Comanche through a time of intense cultural conflict and later helped his people overcome the challenges of changing their whole way of life. His character and accomplishments will now be celebrated with the passing of state legislation for the second Saturday in September to be known as Quanah Parker Day.

The official delegation of the Comanche Nation is coming to Quitaque and Caprock Canyons State Park on Sept. 14, 2019, to celebrate the first Quanah Parker Day in Texas. Join Caprock Canyons and the Comanche Delegation in honoring this amazing man of history in the park landscape he once called home, and where the bison he knew and loved still reside. All festivities for this event are sponsored by the My Comancheria Institute.

The Quanah Parker Day Celebration will start off with an official Quitaque welcome reception at the Tri-County Meals Building, located on the Main Street of Quitaque, beginning at 2 pm. A welcome by Bob Saul, executive director for the My Comancheria Institute, will begin the reception, followed by a welcome from Quitaque Mayor Phil Barefield. The official Comanche Nation Delegation will bring greetings and music from the tribe. Visitors are offered the opportunity to meet and visit with members of the Comanche Nation at this time.

The celebration will continue inside Caprock Canyons State Park at 3 pm, with a welcome by Caprock Canyons State Park Superintendent Donald Beard, followed by a response from LaNora Parker, vice-chair of the Comanche Nation and great-granddaughter of Quanah. Comanche music and ceremonies will follow.

The Comanche Nation considers the area of Quitaque, the park landscape, and the Texas State Bison Herd a special part of their heritage and culture. Caprock Canyons welcomes them and the opportunity to honor Quanah Parker on Quanah Parker Day, Sept.

14. “We invite you to join us in this special celebration,” say organizers.

information

Park admission: adults, $5; seniors, $3;

children 12 and under, free.

Camping is available, along with hiking,

biking, fishing, and many other outdoor and

recreational opportunities.

All programs are free with paid park-entrance

fee. For more information, please call

806.455.1492.