South Texas has some fun in the sun this weekend. Get your family and friends out of the house and enjoy what Corpus Christi is bringing.
Saturday:
SANDFEST in Port A
The Annual Texas SandFest began this weekend in Port Aransas. It’s another economic shot in the arm for the community that’s still recovering from Hurricane Harvey.
The town’s residents say they’re prepared for thousands of visitors.
The recovery in Port A is impressive. Nearly 85 percent of hotels, condos, and rental homes are back up and running. Most are already booked, just in time for the annual sand-sculpting event.
“We’ve been sold out for a month, and every place in town is sold out,” said Mary Honeck, the owner of Amelia’s Landing Hotel. “I don’t know anybody who still has rooms.”
Meanwhile, 95 percent of the town’s businesses have reopened their doors too, like stores, restaurants and places like Ash Cart Rental.
Chris Kuhn, the owner of the business, says they’ve gotten numerous calls ahead of SandFest weekend, and they’ve already rented out all their carts.
“I just have to say (to them), ‘Sorry we’ve been sold out quite a while now,’” said Kuhn.
But not to worry, there is still the option to rent out an electric bike to beat the SandFest traffic.
“You can pull right up to the gate, lock your bike up, attend the event, come back out and then go home,” said Glen Shaw, the owner of Island Motor Bikes.
This weekend’s activity and crowds also are a sign of the times that Port Aransas has bounced back from the devastation of Hurricane Harvey.
“The whole town has come together and rebuilt,” said Kuhn.
“Its really coming back strong, and it’s just awesome to see,” Honeck said.
SandFest runs from Friday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day.
The event will be held between mile markers 9 and 13, rain or shine.
Click here for more information about the event.
FREE PET ADOPTION AT HICKS FAMILY SUBARU GRAND OPENING
On Saturday, CCACS will be part of the Grand Opening of the all-new Hicks Family Subaru (3615 S. Padre Island Dr.) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Check out all the stuff you can do at the event:
– FREE Pet Adoption
– FREE Dog Microchips
– FREE Beginner’s Dog Training Class (every hour from 12 PM – 4 PM)
– Petco Giveaways
– Barkaritaville Tent
– FREE Dog Nail Clipping Service (from 11 AM to 3 PM)
– Subaru Merchandise Giveaways
– Free food and beverages
– GIF Booth
– iMarc Pet Tag Engraver
For details, visit www.hicksfamilysubaru.com.
CORPUS CHRISTI CULTURE FEST
The 2nd Corpus Culture Fest is back this Saturday, April 27th.
The festival is brought to you by the International Student Exchange of Corpus Christi and BUS and aims to celebrate culture in downtown Corpus Christi.
The festival lasts from 12 pm – 7 pm.
Here is a taste of some of the booths and performances from all around the world:
- The Crafty Lizzard
- De la Garza Mexican Goods
- TABPHE~Corpus Christi
- Corpus Christi Downtown Karate Shotokan
- Goju & Tai chi
- Texas State Museum of Asian Cultures and Education Center
- Indian Paki Clothes
- Shire of Seawinds
- Padre Island Trading Co
- Mujeres Gonzalez Art & Permilia Jewelry
- Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas-Corpus Christi
- Passport2Fluency
- The Purple Door
- Deaf Community Board
- NORML Corpus Christi
- Crush Modeling Agency
- Christian Withers
- The Ritz Theatre/Corpus Christi PATCH
- Indigenous Peoples Day
- GROW Local South Texas
CC BOTANICAL GARDENS BIRDIEST FESTIVAL IN AMERICA
Get ready to bird up this weekend at the Birdiest Festival in America, possibly the world.
The festival started Thursday and goes on until Sunday the 28th.
Festival attendees can take advantage of optional guided field trips to regional birding hot spots and private ranches, photography workshops, “Raptor Project” presentations, bird banding, vendor trade-show, and no bird fest is complete without some good old fashioned bird walks.
Check out theschedule here.
You can register here.Basic registration starts at $25 plus additional fees for add-on field trips and workshops.
WAVES CC SOFT OPENING
“Whatever you know about Schlitterbahn, whatever you know about the past — look at us in a different way.”
Nearly one year since Schlitterbahn Waterpark was sold at auction to a new owner, the Padre Island attraction has a new name and a new vision.
The destination is now called Waves Resort Corpus Christi featuring Schlitterbahn Waterpark. It was officially rebranded earlier this month and will soon invite the community to check out some of the upgrades for free.
“We invested more than $8 million in renovating the property,” said resort spokesperson Lisa Marie Barocas. “It’s an all-in-one entertainment destination for folks.”
There will be a soft opening on Saturday, April 27. As part of the festivities, Waves Resort Corpus Christi gave away 200 tickets to Corpus Christi foster families for Foster Family Splash Day.
Visitors will be able to enjoy some of the new entertainment along with the familiar water features. That includes the new 42-foot outdoor movie theater with a swim-up bar.
“When we fill up the water park with water, which is going to happen any day now, then you get to float around in your inner tube and watch a movie at the same time. And how cool is that? You can’t do that anywhere else,” Barocas described.
Then, there are new features that will cater to the family, as a whole. They include a dog park, a putting green, and driving range, and a renovated restaurant and bar now called Eats Epicurea. There are also event spaces that can be used by businesses and residents alike.
Barocas says there are more upgrades to come. A zip line, ropes course and rock climbing wall will be built where the defunct slide, The Plunge, now stands. There is also a new gaming lounge and e-sports training facility coming soon.
“We’re just pumping more and more money into this facility. We’re not going anywhere. We want this to be a place where you can come back, become a member and just have a good time. Bring your family and your friends.”
The public is invited to the “Islander Party” at Waves Resort Corpus Christi on this Friday, April 26. There will be free admission and parking from 5-8 p.m. During those hours, visitors can enjoy Reef’s Swim-Up Bar and Cabanas, Torrent River, Lil’Skipper Kid’s Zone, and the Bahn and Bay Blaster rides. There will be live entertainment featuring the band Mothership from 7-10 p.m.
Ten percent of the food and beverage sales on Friday and Saturday will go to benefit the Riley Dog Park.
EMERGENCY SUPPLIES SALES TAX HOLIDAY
This weekend is the official 2019 Emergency Preparation Supplies Sales Tax Holiday; a whole list of products associated with emergency preparedness will not have a sales tax.
According to the Texas Comptroller office, the holiday lasts from Saturday morning until midnight Monday for Texas residents looking to get some emergency preparedness gear, tax-free.
Here is a breakdown of what you can buy in order to receive the tax exemption:
- Portable Generators less than $3,000
- Emergency Ladders and Hurricane Shutters less than $300
- Axes, certain batteries, can openers (nonelectric), carbon monoxide detectors, coolers and ice chests for food storage – nonelectric, fire extinguishers, first aid kits, fuel containers, ground anchor systems and tie-down kits, hatchets, ice products – reusable and artificial, candles, flashlights, lanterns, mobile telephone batteries, mobile telephone chargers, portable self-powered radios including two-way and weather band radios, smoke detectors, tarps and other plastic sheeting. All these products must be under $75 each to qualify for the exemption.
There is no limit as to the number of items someone can claim the exemption on, and there is no need to issue an exemption certificate to claim the exemption.
There are a few items that seem like they might be covered, but are not. A list of those items can be found at the comptroller’s website, along with additional information about the tax-free day.
Contact Tax Help, or call 1-800-252-5555 for more information.
DOLLAR DAY AT THE MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND HISTORY
The Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History has been educating our community for as long as we can remember. They want people to enjoy their museum for only a dollar this Saturday.
The museum is filled with40,000 square feet of science and history exhibits inspired by your surroundings and dedicated to education. Their collections of historical items are the best representation of 500 years of South Texas History that is available.
They are open from 10 am to 5 pm this Saturday at 1900 N. Chaparral Street, with dollar day admission pricing.
GRAYSEN BENEFIT BBQ AT SAMES FORD
Enjoy some BBQ for a worthy local cause. This Saturday, friends, family, and locals are invited to support Graysen, a four-year-old who was recently diagnosed with a brain tumor and is recovering from brain surgery.
There will be BBQ chicken plates with sausage, rice, beans & all the fixings for only 8 bucks and a raffle to help the family deal with medical and travel expenses.
The family has a positive message and thanks everyone for their support on their Facebook pages, “On behalf of the family, thank you for all your prayers and support❣️Please share share share!! #graysenstrong”
Other Saturday Events:
Keetch Library Book Day
Gala of the Royal Horses
Sunday:
SENSORY FREE SUNDAY AT HURRICANE ALLEY
In honor of Autism Awareness month, the Autism Spectrum Resource Center – Corpus Christi and Hurricane Alley Waterpark are teaming up to bring a safe and fun environment for children who might be sensitive to their environment.
The event is happening Sunday, April 28th from 9 am to 11 am.
The waterpark will be modified to be quieter for anyone with sensory sensitivities.
Tickets are available for pre-sale at only $12. Get your tickets by e-mailing sales@hacctxc.com.
ROYAL HORSE GALA
FAMILY FUN DAY ON ASTRONOMY AT THE CC MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND HISTORY
SPRING TREE PLANTING AT THE LEARNING GARDEN
PILOXING BARRE INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATION TRAINING
