36 Festivals
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| 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.