Henderson Heritage Syrup Festival

November 2023

Depot Museum 

Home to “The Sweetest Festival in Texas” the 34^th Annual Heritage Syrup Festival is a family-friendly event paying homage to the ribbon cane syrup-making tradition. The day's highlight is the syrup-making demonstration on the 5-acre Depot Museum grounds. Experienced syrup makers operate the museum’s antique mule-powered sugar cane press to produce “old-fashioned” cane syrup. While the syrup cooks, visitors can enjoy folk artist demonstrations including rope making, basket weaving, blacksmithing, wood carving, quilting, and other skills of yesteryear.  The Folk Singing and live entertainment are always superb, and the Antique Tractor display is not to be missed

The fun doesn’t stop here, hayride shuttles, sponsored by the Rusk County 4 - H Clubs, provide rustic transportation between the Depot Museum and Historic Downtown Henderson throughout the day. 

Historic Downtown

The festivities continue just down the street where visitors can explore 10 blocks of Henderson’s National Register Historic District. Over 200 booths line the streets featuring handcrafted goods, fine arts & crafts, and unique retail items. Come with hearty appetites and enjoy the variety of food booths featuring smoked turkey legs, pupusas, corn dogs, teriyaki bowls, and much more.

There’s something for everyone at the Heritage Syrup Festival! Kick back and listen to the sounds of Rock n’ Roll, Zydeco, clogging, and more across the festival’s two stages. View over 150 antique and classic cars on display around the Rusk County Courthouse. Enjoy several blocks of children’s activities including face painting, a petting zoo, rock climbing, and inflatables.  Attend a melodrama at the historic Opera House, now home to The Henderson’s Civic Theatre, or take a tour of the Howard Dickinson House where Sam Houston was a frequent visitor. It’s sure to be a fun-filled day for the whole family!