Sunday, October 21, 2001

36 Festivals

George Gongora/Caller-Times

Bayfest, one of the largest Coastal Bend festivals, attracts thousands, sometimes despite bad weather.

So much to learn, so much to eat. In the Coastal Bend, there are separate festivals for oysters and shrimp.
   For your planning purposes, here's a sampling:
   Buccaneer Days (April 10-May 5, 2002): The granddaddy of local festivals, begun in 1938, lasts two weeks, celebrates Corpus Christi's pirate heritage. Families camp out along Leopard Street a day or two in advance of the Illuminated Night Parade to ensure a good view. Other highlights: carnival, fireworks, beauty pageant, rodeo, high-society pageant, junior parade.
   Bayfest (Sept. 27-29, 2002): Another biggie, known for smoked turkey legs and big crowds, sometimes tempered by bad-luck weather. Big-name has-been bands, carnival rides.
   Czech Heritage Festival (Feb. 9, 2002): Polka music, kolaches, other traditional Czech dishes. It's an annual fund-raiser for the Czech Heritage Society of South Texas and the Jalufka House in Heritage Park.
   C-Sculptures (June 8, 2002): Huge, impressive sand sculptures, huge crowds (estimated 130,000 this year) along 2.5 miles of Padre Island, impressively gorgeous bikini contestants, music, volleyball. Largest one-day event on the Texas coast, in its 25th year.
   Deep Sea Roundup (July 4-7, 2002): This Port Aransas fishing tournament is the oldest and largest fishing tournament on the Texas coast. Includes bay/surf, offshore, junior, piggy perch contest and fly-fishing.
   Fiesta en la Playa (early September 2002): Rockport's charity event for college-bound local high school students is known for Tejano music, tamale- and jalapeno-eating competitions, macho legs contest, lowrider car shows and pinatas.
   George West Storyfest (Nov. 2-3, 2001): Known as "The Storytelling Capital of Texas." Also will include a chuckwagon, bands, the NBA Jam Van and a petting zoo to feature kangaroos and zebras.
   Greek Festival (Nov. 2-4, 2001): Greek food, pastries, coffee, wine, dancing, costumes. Major fund-raiser for St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. In a departure from past years, will be held Bayfront Plaza Convention Center instead of the church.
   Harbor Lights Festival (Dec. 1, 2001): Carolers, a gingerbread village, fireworks and a parade of brightly lighted boats are a part the holiday celebration centered at Shoreline Boulevard and Peoples Street. More than 25,000 people attended the lighting last year of the 75-foot city tree.
   Oktoberfest (Oct. 20, 2002): In its 51st year, hosted by the German community of Violet. Barbecue, live auction, country store, children's games, arts and crafts, a white elephant booth. Proceeds will go toward a new parish hall for St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Violet.
   Oysterfest (Feb. 28 - March 3, 2002): Oyster-eating contests, oysters on the half shell, music, arts and crafts.
   Freer Rattlesnake Roundup (April 26-28, 2002): Rattlesnake hunt contest, snake shows, a carnival, a 10k run, talent contest, horseshoe tournament, dances. Freer residents round up the longest, shortest and heaviest rattlesnakes. Musical variety shows include country and Tejano.
   Rockport Art Festival (July 6-7, 2002): Celebrating its 33rd year, the artistic community of Rockport sells and displays a variety of wildlife paintings, landscapes and seascapes, pottery, sculpture and arts and crafts.
   Rockport Festival of Wines (May 25, 2002): Sample wines from Texas and foods from many local restaurants.
   Rockport Hummer/Bird Celebration (Sept. 12-15, 2002): Dedicated to the tiny bird that migrates here. Visitors can also learn about North American owls, bats and whooping cranes.
   Seafair (Oct. 12-13, 2002): Crab beauty contest, crab races, water skiing shows and stunts, carnival rides, Reggae music, gumbo contest, parade, children's fishing tournament.
   Shrimporee (Sept. 13-15, 2002): Another self-explanatory name. Shrimp-eating contest, shrimp-peeling contest, arts and crafts vendors, carnival rides, musical acts, magicians and face painting.
  
  

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