Participate
Come be part of the Heritage Festival experience.
On behalf of the Heritage Heralds, thank you for your interest in the Nacogdoches County Heritage Festival! This year we are honoring our participants in the 44rd annual celebration May 28 - May 31, 2025. Celebrating our high school participants has been an East Texas tradition since 1982. The Nacogdoches Heritage Festival was formed as the major fundraiser benefiting the Nacogdoches Historical Foundation’s goal of local historical preservation.
For over 40 years, we have watched hundreds of young ladies and gentlemen from our community blossom before our eyes as they attended meetings, bow practices, dance classes, interviews, etiquette classes, historical scavenger hunts, parties and teas all leading up to their presentation at the Coronation and Ball. We believe these participants will agree that their experience in the Heritage Festival is one of the highlights of their high school career.
Our Court will consist of Princesses & Escorts representing Nacogdoches County and Duchesses from other counties & states that may have ties to Nacogdoches through family, friends, businesses or simply have an interest in being part of the Nacogdoches Heritage Festival. Duchesses have always been a special part of the festival.
We hope that you will choose to be a part of this long standing and exciting celebration. We are highlighting our greatest heritage - our founders, our history, our youth. We are celebrating YOU!
Princesses
Princesses are high school juniors from a Nacogdoches County high school. They attend meetings throughout the spring semester that focus on interview skills, social media, beauty & poise, resume building, Texas women and social etiquette. Princesses are also taught how to perfect the Texas Bow and how to do the waltz for their presentation at the Coronation and Ball. There are a wide range of events that the Princesses are expected to attend. In addition to the meetings and events, princesses are required to sell tickets to the Coronation which is our largest fundraiser for the NHF. Details will be provided at the Princess meeting in November and a princess handbook will be provided at the January meeting.
Escorts
The Princess and Duchess Escorts should be a junior or senior from a Nacogdoches County high school. Experience shows that the best escort is a friend who will make the events fun and important. He, too, will be a representative of the Festival and an extension of his Princess or Duchess. All escorts should check their spring schedules to reserve all of the Festival dates. Conflicts with sports, travel and end of year activities will need to be addressed with the Escort Chairmen. All escorts will assume the cost of a tuxedo rental for the Coronation and Ball. Other costs are detailed above under Fees. Details will be provided at the Escort information meeting held in January.
Duchesses
Duchesses are high school juniors or seniors that represent cities and states outside of Nacogdoches County. They have always been a special part of the Royal Court and have ties to Nacogdoches through family, friends, businesses, or simply have an interest in being part of the NHF. Having them participate honors their communities near and far to us. If you have a cousin, friend, camp friend, or know of a young lady who would be interested in participating, please let us know.
Need More Information?
The Heritage Heralds organization is excited to honor the young ladies and gentlemen who are presented in the Annual Nacogdoches Heritage Festival. We look forward to meeting you and your family and sharing our heritage with you in the oldest town in Texas!
Please contact us with any questions you may have.