Michelle Christenson/Caller-Times file SAND SCULPTURES: Amazin’ Walter McDonald from South Padre Island finishes off his sand sculpture last April at the Texas Sand Sculpture Festival. The three-day event, held on the beaches of Port Aransas, features sand sculpting lessons, a photo contest and food vendors.

2002-03 calendar of events

OCTOBER   

Festival Facts Festival facts    BUCCANEER DAYS Coronation (MAY)    * The theme of the 2003 Buccaneer Coronation, presented by Las Donas de la Corte, is "The Golden Jubilee Court of Historical Legacies."    * Gowns take two years to create, and are made from pure silks, velvets, and brocade. Embellishments include gold or silver metallic threads, sequins, rhinestones, Austrian stones, Swarovski crystals and costume pearls.    Rockport Hummer/Bird Celebration (SEPTEMBER)    * Two-hundred ruby-throated hummingbirds can be viewed in one yard during the festival's Hummer Homes tours.    * Ruby-throated hummers can flap their wings approximately 55 times per second and fly at a speed of 25 miles per hour.    Bayfest (SEPTEMBER)    * Approximately 160,000 visitors attend Bayfest each year.    * Past Bayfest performers include Pam Tillis, Blood, Sweat & Tears, MC Hammer and A.B. Quintanilla y Los Kumbia Kings.    * This year's concert lineup included LL Cool J, Violent Femmes, Splender, Intocable, The Temptations Review, Vince Neil (formerly of Motley Crue), Earl Thomas Conley, Janie Fricke, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Roger Creager, Sanza, Augie Meyers of the Texas Tornados, Neal McCoy and Angie Aparo.

SEAFAIR (Oct. 12-13, 2002): The annual Rockport Seafair includes crab races, water skiing shows and stunts, carnival rides, reggae music, gumbo cook-off contest, parade and children's fishing activities. Information: (361) 729-6445.
   OKTOBERFEST (Oct. 20, 2002): St. Anthony's Catholic Church sponsors Oktoberfest at 3918 County Road 61 in Violet. The German community of Violet hosts the 51st annual festival with proceeds to be used to help build a new parish hall. Includes raffle, barbecue, children's games, a country store and live auction. Information: (361) 387-4434.
  

NOVEMBER
   GEORGE WEST STORYFEST (Nov. 1-2, 2002): The town of George West, known as "The Storytelling Capital of Texas," presents its 14th annual event, which includescowboy poets, a chuckwagon dinner, bands, a street dance and a petting zoo. The event is held at Live Oak County Fairgrounds and Live Oak County Courthouse Square. Information: (361) 449-2481 or (361) 888-600-3121; www.georgeweststoryfest.com
   GREEK FESTIVAL (Nov. 1-3, 2002): Sample a slice of Greece with Greek foods, pastries, coffee, wine, dancing and costumes. The 39th annual event is a major fund-raiser for St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and will be held with plenty of space for everyone at the Bayfront Plaza Convention Center. Information: 883-9843.
  

DECEMBER
  HARBOR LIGHTS FESTIVAL (Dec. 7, 2002): Santa Claus will be the guest of honor at this year's Harbor Lights Festival, which will include a laser light show, fireworks, carolers and a gingerbread village. A brightly lighted boat parade also will be included in the holiday celebration at Shoreline Boulevard and Peoples Street. Last year, 30,000 people attended the lighting of the 75-foot city tree. Information: 985-1555, or go to www.harborlightsfestival.com
   COASTAL CELEBRATION OF LIGHTS (Dec. 7, 2002): Rockport's lighted boat parade includes powerboats and sailboats and the lighting of the children's Christmas tree at Rockport Beach Park. Also enjoy entertainment, food, arts and crafts, and Santa Claus. Information: (361) 729-6445 or www.rockport-fulton.org
  

JANUARY
   NUECES COUNTY JUNIOR LIVESTOCK SHOW (Jan.10-Jan. 18, 2003): Held at the Nueces County Showbarn in Robstown, the event kicks off with a parade in downtown Robstown and ends with a blue-ribbon auction. Students ranging in age from third grade to high school seniors put their various homemaking, livestock and shop projects to be judged. Also includes a Queen's Contest where each contestant represents 4-H, FFA (Future Farmers of America) or FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America). Information: (361) 387-5395.
  

FEBRUARY
   MUSIC OF THE SEA FESTIVAL (Feb. 14-16, 2003): Includes musicians and groups uniting to celebrate the heritage of the sea. The event also includes educational seminars and is held at the Texas Maritime Museum, 1202 Navigation Circle, in Rockport. Information: (361) 729-1271.
   SOUTH TEXAS RANCHING HERITAGE FESTIVAL (Feb. 14-16, 2003): Take your little cowboy or cowgirl to the 11th annual Kingsville festival, which includes a chuckwagon cookoff, ranch rodeo, cowboy storytellers and live music. The event will be held at both the J.K. Northway Exposition Center, U.S. Highway 77, and the John E. Conner Museum at Texas A&M University-Kingsville. Information: (361) 593-2590.
   CELEBRATION OF WHOOPING CRANES AND OTHER BIRDS (Feb.21-23, 2003): Folks from across the state drive each year to Port Aransas to witness whooping cranes and other birds. The event includes George Archibald of the International Crane Foundation and other speakers, boat and bus birding tours, birding center tours and a nature arts and crafts show. Information: (361) 749-5919 or 1-800-45-COAST.
   OYSTERFEST (March 6-9, 2003): Fulton Volunteer Fire Department presents its 24th annual fund-raiser that includes oyster-eating contests, oysters on the half shell, music, and arts and crafts. The event is located at the waterfront in Fulton. Information: (361) 729-2388.
 

MARCH
   CZECH HERITAGE POLKA FESTIVAL (March 22, 2003): The Czech Heritage Society of South Texas presents its 19th annual fund-raiser that features Polka music, kolaches and other traditional Czech dishes. The event is held at the Bayfront Plaza Convention Center, 1901 N. Shoreline Blvd. Information: 561-4269.

   APRIL
   TEXAS SAND SCULPTURE FESTIVAL (April 4-6, 2003): This three-day event, held on the beaches of Port Aransas, is sponsored by the Port Aransas Community Theatre and features sand sculpting lessons, both master and amateur divisions, a photo contest and food vendors. Information: (361) 749-5919 or 1-800-45-COASTor go to _www.texassandfest.com/
   BUCCANEER DAYS (April 9-May 4, 2003): Perhaps the most well-known local festival, Buccaneer Days began in 1938 and celebrates Corpus Christi's pirate heritage. Families camp out to get a good viewing spot to watch the Illuminated Night Parade along Leopard Street. The event also boasts a carnival, beauty and pageants, fireworks, a rodeo and a children's parade. Information: 882-3242 or go to www.bucdays.com
   WINDFEST (April 10-13, 2003): The 30th annual event includes both kids' and adults' basketball tournaments, a chili, bean and rib cookoff, a carnival, a children's area, a petting zoo and food booths. The event is held on the grounds of the Portland Community Center, 2000 Billy G. Webb Drive. Information: (361) 643-2475 or www.windfest.org
   FREER RATTLESNAKE ROUNDUP (April 2003): Check out the heaviest and longest rattlesnakes at this festival held at the Cactus Corral Grounds in Freer. The event also includes a rattlesnake hunt, snake shows, a carnival, a 10k run, talent contest, horseshoe tournament, dances and Tejano music. Information: (361) 394-6891.
  

MAY
   ROCKPORT FESTIVAL OF WINES (May 24, 2003): Be sure to sample the Texas wines and foods from local restaurants. The event is held on the grounds of the Texas Maritime Museum, 1202 Navigation Circle. Information: (361) 729-1271.
   TEXAS STATE KITE FESTIVAL (May 16-18, 2003): See colorful kites dance at the annual Texas State Kite Festival at Rockport Beach Park. Events include Chinese fighter kite competitions, dual line competition, kite ballet and kite boarding. Information: (361) 729-6445 or (800) 826-6441 or www.rockport-fulton.org
  

JUNE
   C-SCULPTURES (June 14, 2003): Known as the largest one-day event on the Texas Coast. The 26th annual event promises impressive sand sculptures, live music, volleypalooza and a much-anticipated bikini contest. Expect a crowd of at least 130,000 along 2.5 miles on Padre Island. The annual C-101/Michelob Light C-Sculptures will be held at Newport Pass. Information, call 289-0111, ext. 156.
  

JULY
   ROCKPORT ART FESTIVAL (July 5-6, 2003): Find pottery, sculptures, wildlife paintings, landscapes and seascapes, and arts and crafts at the 34th annual festival held in the artistic community of Rockport on the festival grounds adjacent to the Rockport Harbor. Information: (361) 729-5519.
   DEEP SEA ROUNDUP (July 10-13, 2003): Marching on its 69th year, this Port Aransas fishing tournament is the oldest and largest fishing tournament on the Texas coast. The event is held at Roberts Point Park and includes bay/surf, offshore, junior, piggy perch contest and fly-fishing. Information: (361) 749-5919 or www.portaransas.org
  

AUGUST
   POW-WOW BY THE SEA (Aug. 16-17, 2003): View spectacular dance contests and find Native American arts and crafts at the Coastal Bend Council of Native Americans' annual Pow-Wow by the Sea at the Memorial Coliseum, 402 S. Shoreline Blvd. Information: 643-0399.
   FIESTA EN LA PLAYA (Aug. 30-31, 2003): Tamale- and jalapeno-eating contests as well as a macho legs contest are just a few of the highlights of this Rockport charity event for local college-bound high school students. Other attractions include Tejano music at Rockport Festival Grounds. Information: (361) 729-8773.
  

SEPTEMBER
   ROCKPORT HUMMER/BIRD CELEBRATION (Sept. 11-14, 2003): Learn about the tiny birds that migrate to the area and sign up for bus and boat tours, lectures, and workshops. Check out hummer homes and a butterfly exhibit. Visitors also can learn about North American owls, bats and whooping cranes. Information: (361) 729-6445 or go to _www.rockport-fulton.org
   SHRIMPOREE (Sept. 12-14, 2003): If you're a shrimp lover, you'll love this festival. Held at the Aransas Pass Community Park, this event features shrimp-eating and shrimp-peeling contests, arts and crafts vendors, carnival rides, musical acts, magicians and face painting. Information: (800) 633-3028 or go to www.aransaspass.org
   BAYFEST (Sept. 19-21, 2003): Enjoy six stages of music, which includes a multicultural stage for families, and smoked turkey legs, plus an array of carnival rides. The festival is also known for big-name bands from the past. Information: 887-0868 or go to www.bayfesttexas.com