Independence Square, First Olympian from Gonzales

In January, the City Council unanimously approved the name change of “Confederate Square” to “Independence Square,” and panels to showcase black history in Gonzales were set to be installed in June. Also in January, the Gonzales Independent School District reported 17 active cases of Covid. February saw an ice storm and freezing temperatures in Gonzales, with below-freezing temperatures lasting almost continuously from February 15-19 and up to three inches of snow falling twice during that time. The storm caused electrical outages and frozen water pipes, with the fire station offering residents hours to fill up containers for household use. Covid vaccines were administered to those over 65, and in March, the governor announced that mask and capacity mandates would be lifted for Texas businesses on March 10. In August, Ariana Ince became the first Olympian born and raised in Gonzales. She would later be recognized as Parade Marshall for the 2021 Come and Take It Celebration.