GOLDTHWAITE – The Texas Botanical Gardens & Native American Interpretive Center, Inc., proudly invites you to Prairie Experience 2025, the signature annual fundraiser returning to the Goldthwaite Pavilion at Legacy Plaza, 1012 West Third Street, on Saturday, October 4, 2025, beginning at 5:00 p.m.

Now in its sixteenth year, this beloved event blends heartfelt community connection with rich cultural celebration and Native American representation. With every ticket supporting educational and conservation efforts in Central Texas, attendees can expect an unforgettable evening that gives back as much as it inspires. Tickets are officially available—join us for a night where heritage meets hospitality under the stars.

Highlights

This fall, the Texas Botanical Gardens & Native American Interpretive Center, Inc. will once again come alive with the rhythms of history, heritage, and heart. Prairie Experience 2025 promises a gathering that celebrates Native American culture while raising vital support for one of Central Texas’ most treasured institutions.

At the center of this year’s event is Nan Blassingame, a citizen of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma and creative director of the Native American Cultural Center in Austin, Texas. Renowned for her captivating buckskin dance performances, Blassingame is not only a gifted dancer but also a Cedar Park-based fashion designer and cultural educator. With over two decades of experience, she has become a vital force in preserving and promoting Native American heritage through design, performance, and outreach. She is the creator of the Native American Notions clothing brand, and her designs have been featured at both Austin Fashion Week and New York Fashion Week.

Guests will dine under the stars with a meal catered by Pecan House Grill, featuring a menu rooted in Native American culinary traditions. Whether choosing a savory meat dish or a flavorful vegetarian option, attendees can expect a thoughtful homage to the region’s original foodways.

The evening also includes both silent and live auctions, each packed with hand-selected treasures and one-of-a-kind experiences. From weekend getaways to artisan-crafted goods, the auctions offer something for every enthusiast while directly supporting the Texas Botanical Gardens & Native American Interpretive Center, Inc.

Supporting a Worthy Cause

Founded in 2004, the Texas Botanical Gardens & Native American Interpretive Center, Inc. anchors Legacy Plaza with a mission to preserve the prehistoric lifeways and environmental heritage of the region. Through hands-on exhibits, native plantings, and educational programming, the Gardens teach visitors of all ages how the land sustained ancient cultures—and how we can steward it today.

This year’s Prairie Experience sets its sights on raising $100,000 to fund educational programs serving both children and adults throughout the year and operational needs.

As Executive Director Courtenay Smith puts it, “Each dollar raised helps us continue the work of blending science, culture, and nature in ways that transform how people see their world.”

Sponsorships and Donations

To continue its vital work, the Texas Botanical Gardens & Native American Interpretive Center, Inc. relies on the generous support of sponsors for this special evening. Our partners receive recognition across our website, social media, and event materials; naming opportunities for our programs; invitations to exclusive events and behind-thescenes tours; and a meaningful connection to a mission-driven community that values conservation and cultural heritage. Sponsorships can be booked online or by contacting TBG&NAIC at (325) 451-1075 during business hours, Tuesday – Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Tickets

Tickets for Prairie Experience 2025 are available now through September 12, 2025. Reservations can be made online or by contacting TBG&NAIC at (325) 451-1075 during business hours, Tuesday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Join us for an evening where tradition meets tomorrow—a celebration of spirit, story, and stewardship. Walk the gardens, stay for the dinner and Native American representation, and leave knowing you helped keep the story alive.