February 2019 Events & Attractions
LaMardi Gras

When: February 8-9
Lamardi Gras is a celebration with a local flare to benefit the Lamar Volunteer Fire Department. This annual event occurs at Lamar Volunteer Fire Department. The celebration starts Friday evening and concludes Saturday night. Activities include a parade, live music, cold beverages, themed food, auctions, casinos, and more.
Bountiful Bowl

When: February 9
The Bountiful Bowl event is held February 9. Potters from around the world display their works for sale to the public. It will be held at the Woman’s Club in historical downtown Rockport and benefits the Council on Aging.
Clay Expo

When: February 9-10
Clay Expo Weekend is February 9-10. A new exhibit opens at the Art Center on February 2nd – New ceramic works by San Antonio artist Diana Kersey. Like last year the expo will be hosted at the Woman’s Club across from the Chamber and in the modular space at the art center. Pottery demonstrations at Rockport Center for the Arts, Stan Irvin Ceramics, and Wind Way Gallery throughout the day on February 10. Visit  bountifulbowl.org  for more information.
Chocolate Crawl in the District

When: February 9
A Chocolate Crawl in the Cultural Arts District with thirty participating stores and shops throughout the downtown area offering chocolate treats, store specials and a “Golden Ticket” dinner for two drawing to Lattitudes 28 02 and 495 Chesapeake Eats. 4-7pm. This event will complement the Bountiful Bowl, Clay Expo and Rockport Art Loop
Attractions
Fishing in the Bays are Plentiful

Open piers:
Breakwater (End of Market Street) pier, Rockport Beach North Pier, Leggett Channel, Rockport Harbor Seawall, Bulkhead at Fulton Harbor, Copano Kayak Site, Howard Murph Park, Copano Causeway Boat Launch.

State Park:
Goose Island pier is closed but fishing is available at Day Use Area, Boat Ramp, and West Side.

Open marinas:
Cove Harbor Marina, Copano Causeway Ramp and Boat Launch, Rockport Beach Park, and Fulton Harbor and Cove Harbor Marina.
Birds are Flying High

Birding Migration:
From the Gulf of Mexico to beaches, bays and estuaries and inland woods, prairies and fields, one will find extraordinary birding throughout Aransas County. We have 10 birding sites on the Great Texas Birding Trail.

From November to March, the world's only migrating flock of over 265 Whooping Cranes calls the Aransas Wildlife Refuge home. Nowhere else can you view these magnificent birds so closely.
Rockport Beach
Despite Hurricane Harvey Rockport Beach was selected by USA Today 10Best as the Best Beach in Texas. Rating #1 in the state!
 The weather, water, and sand are still beautiful! Texas first Blue wave beach was pounded by Hurricane Harvey, damaging both the Beach Pavilion (closed through May) and the Saltwater Pavilion (closed through July). Harvey also damaged many of the picnic areas and beach palapas. Debris is being removed in the waters of both Aransas Bay and Little Bay. Efforts are underway to replace both the iconic Band Shell and the Big Blue Crab. 
Around Town Community Events
Pickin' on the Porch
February 6- Come on over for some Music, fun and make new friends. Fabulous time, right on our front porch and just for you! FREE! Bring your lawn chair and friends | 12-1:30 PM | Rockport Fulton Chamber of Commerce "Front Porch at the Visitors Center" 319 Broadway

Rockport Art Loop  
February 9 - 5-7 PM- 8 art spaces in downtown will have simultaneous receptions starting at 5 pm  
Rockport Center for the Arts, Anita Diebel Studio, The Gallery at Latitudes Restaurant, Coast Modern, Wind Way Gallery, Estelle Stair Gallery, John Martel Photography, and Stan Irvin Ceramics.  FMI 361-729-5519 or visit  rockportartcenter.com   

Art Center Market
February 9- Where art member artists display and sell their fine arts creations. In the heart of downtown Rockport. 106 S Austin St. 10 AM to 4 PM; Contact 361-729-5519 FMI.

Cultural Arts District - Second Saturdays!
February 9- Second Saturday! Sip, Shop, Stroll, Wine and Dine in downtown from 10 AM to 7 PM. Food Trucks, Specials and entertainment. FMI  rockportculturalartsdistrict.com

7th Annual Texas Winter Market II
February 9-10: Come shop with us at the 7th annual Texas Winter Market II coming to the Aransas Pass Civic Center (700 W. Wheeler Drive ~ Aransas Pass). Vendors will be bringing the best in clothing, gifts, jewelry, gourmet food, Texas handmade, gifts for the guys, Texas wine sampling, home decor, accessories, candles, photography and much more to the show and you don't want to miss it. Hours are Sat. 10-5 and Sun. 10-4. Admission is $3.00 or $2.00 with your non-perishable food donation to St. Mary Star of the Sea Food Pantry. Admission is good for both days and kids 12 and under are free. We have lots of free parking and hourly door prizes too. For more info call 888-225-3427 or follow us on Facebook at Texas Market Guide

Rockport-Fulton Market Days
February 15-17 | Over 160 booths filled with great vendors, over a dozen food vendors, 3 days of live music, covered seating and as always, a pet friendly environment! EVERY 3RD FULL WEEKEND OF EVERY MONTH. Open Friday with select vendors and early bird specials from 12-5, Saturday from 9-5 and Sunday from 10-4. Come join the fun and add your energy to our recovery!!! FMI, follow Rockport-Fulton Market Days on  Facebook  |  Website  | 361-463-0125.

Fulton Mansion State Historic Site
Winter Slate Workshop (Slate Jewelry): February 23, 10am-12pm. Join us once a month, January through March, for our new Winter Slate Workshops! Workshops are $20 per person (ages 12+) and will all include a piece of slate from the Mansion’s last restoration and necessary supplies. In February, we will create slate jewelry; chains, charms, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, let your creativity fly! Proceeds help to fund future Friends of Fulton Mansion programs and events, like Music at the Mansion. Please register at Brady.Cain@thc.texas.gov or (361) 729-0386 ext. 21, as space will be limited.
The Fulton Mansion will be closed for repairs beginning January 20th. The Education and History Center will remain OPEN Tuesday-Saturday 10am-4pm and Sunday 1-4pm. Admission is currently free while the Mansion undergoes repairs from Hurricane Harvey. Call ahead for the most up-to-date information:
361-729-0386 or visit our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/visitfultonmansion

Texas Maritime Museum - Education Center 
February 12: Seafaring Saga Movie Night, 7:00 PM. We will be showing the 1940 adventure film Saps at Sea. In this film, A classical Laurel and Hardy comedy where the the duo tried to get sea air without actually going to sea. Movie nights are free, and popcorn and soda will be available for purchase.
For more information, contact Aaron martin at 361-729-1271 or educator@texasmaritimemuseum.org
Brown Bag Lectures
February 4: We'll hear from the Ph.D. student, Shannan McAskill, about how Hurricane Harvey affected plankton populations in the coastal bend.
February 11: Carra Miller, an associate attorney who represents shipowners, agents, and maritime employers at Welder Leshin in Corpus Christi, will speak about maritime law.
February 18: Kam Wagert, former board member of both the History Center and Maritime Museum, along with former director of the Texas Archaeological Society Pam Stranahan, will discuss Aransas County's history through postcards.
February 25: We will learn about invasive species from the program director of the University of Texas Maritime Science Institute, Sara Pelleteri.
Brown Bag lectures are free of charge. Guests are welcome to bring their own lunch, but cookies will be provided. 12-1 PM (Doors open at 11:45 AM)
Texas Maritime Museum is open Tuesday-Saturday 10 AM-4 PM and Sunday 1-4 PM. For membership, volunteer information, and other activities: call 361-729-1271 or visit  texasmaritimemuseum.org

Rockport Center for the Arts 
GOOD NATURED: Diana Kersey Solo ceramic exhibit. February 9. Gallery Talk at 4:30 pm follows by reception 5 - 7pm
Children can enjoy free, high caliber art instruction year-round, including summer camp- ArtSpace and Free Family Saturdays during the school year. Rockport, famous for its vast colony of more than 800 artists, has been identified as "The 100 Best Small Art Towns in America" by John Villani and "Top 10 Artist Colonies" by Allen Bunting in Coastal Living Magazine.
Visit Rockport Center for the Arts new location at  106 S. Austin  in Rockport.
Hours of operation Tues-Sat - 10 AM-4 PM | FMI 361-729-5519 or visit  rockportartcenter.com   

The History Center for Aransas County 
Free admission to all events.
February 10- 2pm Susie Bracht Black- Making new treasures from old treasures and scraps & Sharon Wasteney – Fabric to dye for
February 17- 2pm – Jim Moloney presents “Postcards of Old Rockport” at the Fulton Mansion
February 24- 2pm Bring a quilt and share its story with others
New hours: Friday 1-4 PM; Saturday 10 AM-4 PM; Sunday 1-4 PM
801 E. Cedar St. Rockport  | A Pathways Venue
For membership, volunteer information, and other activities: FMI: call 361-727-9214 or visit  www.thehistorycenterforaransascounty.or g

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension-Aransas County
February 19- Brown Bag: 12-1 pm, "Space Saving Container Gardening" Presented by Carol Krank, Horticulturist at the South Texas Botanical Gardens and Nueces County Master Gardener
A&M AgriLife Extension Office,  892 Airport Rd., Rockport, TX
Call 361-790-0103 or visit  www.aransas.agrilife.org  for more information

Rockport Little Theatre
February 9-10- Steel Magnolias: Rockport Little Theatre will have an encore performance of Steel Magnolias. Saturday at 7 pm and Sunday Matinee at 2:30 pm at the LaPalma Event Center. Tickets can be purchased at the door 1/2 hour prior to showtime.
Our new location is La Palma is located at  2955 Hwy 35, Rockport , TX. FMI:  www.rockportlittletheatre.com  |  President@RockportLittleTheatre.com

Rialto Theater
Every Tuesday: Music Jam from 6-9 PM. Happy Hour until 7 PM. $1 Admission.  
February 14: Mike Blakely in Concert includes Valentine's Night Chocolate Indulgence Buffet. Singer/Songwriter/Novelist. Bar and chocolate starts at 6 pm; concert at 7:30 pm. Tickets online @ $12.
February 16: Perfect Date Night with ART. Free Admission. Happy Hour 6-7 pm. 7-9 pm - Play or watch "The Not So Newlywed Game" -- how well do you know your partner? Prizes; desserts.
February 24- Oscar Night Party. Watch the event on our big screen. Free admission.
The Rialto Bar offers a wide selection of beer and wine plus setups for BYOB. Located at  327 South Commercial Street, Aransas Pass . Visit us on Facebook. FMI: 361-758-0383 or  art@rialtotheater.org  or rialtotheater.org

Rockport Country Club
Rockport Country Club has reopened to an overwhelmingly positive response from members. With a new bar concept, redesigned dining area and lounge with all new furnishings, Rockport Country Club is poised to offer its members a lifestyle not found anywhere in the Coastal Bend area. For membership or to be a "Member for a Day" contact Stan Reeder at 361-450-4393. FMI visit our website  www.rockportcc.com

Aransas Pathways
Discover your Pathway! Hiking-Biking-Kayaking-History and Birding. Attractions and Nature trails throughout Aransas County. Visit:  www.aransaspathways.com  | 361-729-6445

Birding and Dolphin Tours/Boat & Kayak Excursions
Boat Tours are available. Information on Dolphin and birding adventures can be obtained by contacting the Rockport-Fulton Chamber of Commerce 1-800-242-0071

Community Aquatic and Skate Park
Pool Hours: Monday-Closed | Tuesday & Friday 9-5 | Wed, Thur & Sat 9-6 | Sunday 12-5
The pool and park have been cleaned up from the storm, and now open at 9 AM (Tues-Sat). Admission is $5. Classes include: Water Aerobics, Water Walking and Lap Swim. The park houses an 8 Lane, 25 yard pool (heated to 86 degrees) and diving area, a bathhouse, towel warmer and swimsuit dryer. The park includes a 6000 sq. ft. modular skate park (open) It also has a playground, picnic area, and a ¼ mile nature trail. FMI:  pool2@cityofrockport.com  | 361-727-9989 |  www.cityofrockport.com

Fulton Schoolhouse Museum
The Schoolhouse Museum is the original one-room schoolhouse of Fulton, TX that was rebuilt in the 1940's after being damaged by a hurricane. Visitors to the museum will experience a sense of what education was like from a bygone era. Expect to see the schoolhouse as it was originally set up along with numerous original artifacts of that era. Free tours but items are available for purchase, such as note cards, bookmarkers and all donations are accepted, as well. Open on Saturdays and Sundays from 1–4 PM, and for groups of four or more any time (or by appointment, call 361-729-5533). Come see what a one-room schoolhouse looked like, a huge model of the Fulton Mansion, and lots of photos and memorabilia of old time Fulton. For more information or to schedule future group tours call 361-729-5533 or visit  www.fultontexas.org | 205 N 7th Street, Fulton, TX 78358

Aquarium at Rockport Harbor - Education Center
Wednesday Lecture Series - History of Explosion Craters in the Coastal Bend
February 6 : 7-8 PM at the Education Center at Rockport Harbor. Gail Sutton will outline "Sink Your Shucks," the first oyster restoration program in Texas to reclaim oyster shells from local restaurants to build substrate for new reefs and habitat for fish, crabs, and other organisms. In addition to her main role as Chief Operating Officer at the Institute, Ms. Sutton, who in 2011 earned her master’s degree in Fisheries and Mariculture from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, co-manages “Sink Your Shucks." Come join us for this fascinating subject!

Wednesday Lecture Series - Sediment Transport in Estuaries from Storms
February 20 : 7-8 PM at the Education Center at Rockport Harbor. -  Dr. Jame Gibeaut will share his current research focus on shoreline change in the Coastal Bend and projecting future change. Dr. James Gibeaut is the Endowed Chair for Coastal and Marine Geospatial Sciences at the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies (HRI) at Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi.
Aquarium Education Center is located at 706 Navigation Circle, Rockport, TX.

Goose Island State Park 
Every Wednesday & Saturday, 8:30-11 AM -Shorebird Walks: We will explore different habitats and discover a variety of birds together. All ages and skill levels are welcome. Check in at Park Headquarters, then meet at the Rec Hall.
Every Thursday, 8:30-11 AM - Woodland Bird Walks: Join us for an exploratory walk through the woods of Goose Island State Park. We’ll learn about and identify the birds we see on our route, which includes a stop at the bird viewing area. All ages and skill levels are welcome. Check in at Park Headquarters, then meet at the Turks Cap Trail parking lot by campsite #157.
Every Friday, 8:30-11 AM - Big Tree Natural Area Bird Walks: Join us for a hike through the Big Tree Natural Area, an area of the park that is otherwise closed to the public. We’ll observe birds in a variety of habitats including coastal oak forests, coastal prairies, marshes, and bay shorelines. We may even be lucky enough to see an endangered Whooping Crane! All ages and skill levels are welcome. Check in early at park headquarters to obtain a tour ticket, then meet at the Big Tree parking lot.
Programs are FREE with park entrance ($5/person, children 12 & under are free) or Texas State Parks Annual Pass. Goose Island State Park is open 7 days a week from 8 AM-10 PM. Park Headquarters is staffed 7 days a week from 8 AM-5 PM. For more information, visit  https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/goose-island https://www.facebook.com/GooseIslandSP/ , or call 361-729-2858.
The wooded area of Goose Island State Park is open for overnight RV and tent camping. The boat ramp, fish cleaning station, nature trail, picnic area, and West Bayfront are available for day use. There is no Bayfront camping at this time and the fishing pier and East Bayfront remain closed. Park operating hours are 8 AM-10 PM.
While at Goose Island, be sure to visit one of the most famous live oaks in the world, the "Big Tree" estimated to be centuries old.
Goose Island State Park offers a variety of programs for all ages. For more information on scheduled openings or park programs, visit  www.tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/goose-island  or 361-729-2858
 
Aransas National Wildlife Refuge
Aransas National Wildlife Refuge is open daily from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. The Visitor Contact Station is currently open Wednesday-Sunday, 9 AM-4 PM. Come hike a trail, fish off the pier or from your kayak, or drive the 16 mile auto tour. FMI, visit  www.facebook.com/AransasNWR , www.fws.gov/refuge/aransas/  or call 361-349-1181.
(Voted the #1 birding spot and # 5 National Wildlife Refuge in the USA for USA TODAY Readers' Choice)
 
Bingo
Come enjoy a fun time playing Bingo! Bingo can be played on Wednesday and Friday at 7 PM at the Rockport American GI Forum-  1911 Hardee St. Rockport . FMI: 361-729-7144

Cards
Every Monday and Friday, 12-4 PM - Play Canasta or Party Bridge at the Woman's Club of Aransas County |  1104 E. Concho, Rockport . (Across from the Chamber of Commerce near the Rockport Harbor) Members $4 | Non-members $5. FMI: 361-557-1150 or visit our  website
Connect With Us
This is a publication put together by the Rockport-Fulton Chamber of Commerce.
800-242-0071 I Rockport-Fulton.org I #VisitRockportFulton