April 2018 Events
 
  Rockport-Fulton Chamber of Commerce
For additional information on what is happening in our area, please call  800-242-0071, email tourism@1rockport.org or visit
 
Easter Sunrise Services April 1st
Join in for the annual Easter Sunrise Service at Sunrise (7 a.m.)  The event will be held at Aransas Navigation District Festival Grounds. Bring your lawn chairs. The service is non-denominational and a good chance for the community to heal. For more information, contact pastors of local churches.


South Texas Historical Association World War 1 Symposium April 6-7
Friday April 6 - 7-9 pm - Meet and Greet at the History Center for Aransas County. Refreshments, meet the speakers, tour the exhibit & hear the ACISD student's comments.
Saturday April 7 - 8:30am - 3:15pm - Fulton Mansion Historic Site Education Center presents five presentations throughout the day including: Experiences of a Texas Czech Soldier by Douglas Kubicek, Letters During World War 1 by Dr. Paul Spellman, Wood, Water & Liberty Heldenfels Shipyard by Phil Barnes, History from Heldenfels Shipyard by Hannah Haws and The War at Home: Assessing the Impact of the First World War on American and South Texas Society, by Dr. Mark Robbins. Registration by March 28 contact 361-798-6588  or  brincefrields@gmail.com
 

Rockport Artists' Studio Tour April 7-8
Rediscover Rockport...Through the Arts
Coastal Charm Kick-off Party Friday April 6, Home of Ann & Stan Smith, Cocktails 6pm Dinner 7pm. Tickets $85-$1000. Music, Tour of Home, Open bar.
Rockport Artist Studio Tour from 10am-4pm Saturday, April 7 and 11am -3pm Sunday, April 8 at six participating studios. Twelve Artists from Rockport and beyond. Buy tickets at www.RockportStudioTour.com
Rockport Center for the Arts in Downtown Rockport will host the opening reception for Glass-maker Brad Pearce, Saturday April 7 at 5pm. On exhibit until May 13. For more information, call 361-729-5519 or visit www.rockportartcenter.com .
 
 



Taste of Rockport-Fulton
April 14
The Rotary club of Rockport will have the Taste of Rockport Fulton on  Saturday, April 14.  It will be held this year at the Rock Bottom Park and Pub in Downtown Rockport.  Hours will be  5 to 8 PM.   Restaurants from around the area will be offering tastes of food from their establishments.  Admission is free although donations will be accepted for the Rotary Charles A Evans Scholarship Foundation benefiting high school seniors from Rockport Fulton High School.  Downtown merchants will stay open that evening late.  For more information, contact Steve Clarkson with the Rotary club at 830-857-5746
   
Rockport Kite Fun Fly April 28-29
Aransas Navigation District Festival Grounds -This is a free public event registered with the American Kite Association.  There will be professional kite flyers coming in from Houston, Austin, San Antonio and RGV areas, sponsored by Rockport Cultural Arts District and Coastal Bend Skypirates. Join us for a community kite flying time to just relax, enjoy the breezes, sun, views of the waters of Aransas and Little Bays,  Some "down" time for all ages.  There will be aerial display kites, ground displays, windfeathers, sports kites, demonstration flights.  Bring your kite and come have a great day!! Don't have a kite?? Grab one while you're here! FMI jroseday@gmail.com or facebook Coastal Bend SkyPirates.


Celebrate spring at the refuge and join us for two awesome programs at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge. EarthQuest, a non-profit organization out of Georgia, reached out to the refuge after Hurricane Harvey and wanted to do something to lift up our community, so they offered to bring their live animal demonstrations to YOU!

April 7 
11:30 am -  Enjoy a Birds of Prey show. Meet several live raptors and even watch them fly! L
earn about what makes these powerful birds unique and fascinating.

Entrance to the refuge is free for the day, and this is a fun, family-friendly event! We all need a break after Hurricane Harvey - please join us! Come early or stay later and hike a trail, drive the auto loop, and explore your refuge!  This event will be OUTDOORS, so please bring your own chair as well as water, sunscreen, and bug spray.

Aransas National Wildlife Refuge is currently open from open daily from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. FMI, visit  www.facebook.com/AransasNWRwww.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)


Texas Maritime Museum 
April 10 -7pm - Seafaring Saga Movie Night: Join us at the Texas Maritime Museum for a FREE showing of The Long Voyage Home (1940). Popcorn and drinks available for $1 each
 
April 11 - 1pm- Homeschool Days: Topic: The Colony Kit
Homeschool classes are available at the Texas Maritime Museum from 1:00pm to 3:00pm for grades 1-8. Classes include a lesson and crafts & activities exploring all things maritime.  Each class is $6.00 per student. Spaces are limited and a registration form is required.
 
April 25 - 10am -Texas Maritime Museum will hold its Grand Reopening complete with a ribbon cutting ceremony with the Rockport-Fulton Chamber of Commerce. To celebrate the reopening, admission will be free all day on the 25th!
Texas Maritime Museum is open Tuesday-Saturday 10am-4pm and Sunday 1-4pm. For membership, volunteer information, and other activities: call 361-729-1271 or visit www.texasmaritimemuseum.org

Discover Downtown Rockport
April 14 - It is your chance to take an evening stroll and Discover all that downtown Rockport has to offer with extended shop hours and lots of store specials from 5-7pm.

Downtown Rockport and Downtown Fulton Cleanups 
April 14 - 9am - 12 Noon - Fulton Clean-Up Meet at Sugar Shack, 106 N.Fulton Beach Rd. 
April 15 9am -12 Noon  Rockport Clean-up  Meet at Apple Dumpling Deli ,114 N. Magnolia

Market Days April 21-22
Come join the fun at Market Days at the Festival Grounds at Rockport Harbor. There is live music, 10 food trucks and over 100 vendors with lots of merchandise. It's going to be fun! For more information, follow Rockport Fulton Market Days on Facebook
April 10
Rockport Center for the Arts  
See above featured event
April 21 - 10am - 4pm Art Center Market - Fine Art , Photography, Jewelry, Pottery, Wood Carving, and more. Live music by " Magnus" Next to Rockport Center for the Arts in the heart of downtown.
There is something for everyone at the Art Center... 
Children can enjoy free, high caliber art instruction year-round, including summer camp-ArtSpace and Free Family Saturdays during the school year. The City of 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 - 10am-4pm. FMI 361-729-5519 or    www.rockportartcenter.com  
 
Rockport Country Club
Rockport Country Club recently reopened the golf course and is accepting new members during reconstruction. Pay discounted initiation fees with no monthly dues until the club house rebuild is complete. Pay as you go for all golf and food & beverage. 
RCC is improving and reinvesting in all aspects of the club; golf course, clubhouse and fitness center. Come check out what we are recreating as a Member For a Day! Contact  361-729-4393 membership and 361-729-4182  for the golf desk.
 FMI 
www.rockportcc.com

Rialto Theater
Every Tuesday:  Open Mic/Music Jam from 6-9 pm.  Happy Hour until 7 pm.  $1 Admission.
Every Friday:  Happy Hour in the Bar
Weekends April 6-15 - Fri & Sat 7:30 pm Sun -2pm" Ripcord" Exclusive premier - a dangerously funny battle of wills.  tickets $15 & $20
The Art Gallery is open Thu-Sat 11am-4pm and on dates with events. See Rialto calendar on website for details. FMI:   361-758-0383  or  art@rialtotheater.org or  www.rialtotheater.org

Rockport Little Theatre
Auditions for Vagina Monologues  At the Rialto Theatre  327 S. Commerce St. Aransas Pass: 
April 14 - 12-3pm
April 20, 7:30-9pm
April 22, 12-3pm

Pickin' on the Porch
April 4 - 11am  Entertainment by Gypsy Music Service  plays a variety of music, sing-alongs, pop, country, oldies, tropical,  join us at the Visitors Center PORCH R-F Chamber of Commerce 319 Broadway Rockport. Visitors encouraged to attend. Free Open to the public

Birding and Dolphin Tours/Boat & Kayak Excursions
Our Famous Whooping Cranes are back for the Winter Season! 
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

Fulton Mansion State Historic Site
T he Education and History Center will be open Tuesdays through Saturdays 10-4 and Sundays 1-4
Volunteers and staff will be offering guided Architecture Tours of the Mansion for the first time ever.  Visitors will have the opportunity to walk around the exterior of the Mansion and learn about what makes the building so unique.
Opening of Fulton Mansion TBA at a later date.  FMI and other activities please call 729-0386 x21 or  www.visitfultonmansion.org

The History Center For Aransas County  
 April  7 - 10 am-12 noon    Plant Exchange  Bring a plant, trade for another.
April 7 - 10am Opening Event:     "Salute to Aransas County Military: WWI, WWII, USAF Radar Site" featuring performances from RFHS students.  
April 15 - 2pm   Program:  Book signing for "Doc's Garden": A Guide to Useful Plants by Pat Garland.  Unusual herbs will also be for sale.   
April 22 -Program "The History of the Texas State Guard" by Joe Riekers
 
Open Saturdays, April 7, 14, 21, 28 from 10 am-4 pm
           Sundays, April 8, 15, 22, 29 from 1-4 pm

A Venue of Aransas Pathways -  The History Center is located at 801 E. Cedar. Free Admission FMI call 361-727-9214 or  www.aransashistorycenter.org 

Fashion for our Passion 
April - 28, 11:30am-2:30 pm 3rd Annual Luncheon and Style Show - NorthShore Country Club benefitting the Humane Society and Adoption Center of Rockport-Fulton. Wine and Champagne reception and Silent Auction, Seated Luncheon, Style Show. Celebrating the Spirit of the Rockport-Fulton Communities. 

Aquarium at Rockport Harbor
The Aquarium at Rockport Harbor was completely destroyed by Hurricane Harvey. At this time they are applying for grants and hoping to rebuild in the future. On a positive note, most of the fish were saved! The Education building withstood the storm, though i t will require major repair work. It now is being used for other community functions.To help r ebuild  the Aquarium at Rockport Harbor, you can view the destruction or donate through Pay Pal by visiting:  http://www.rockportaquarium.com/

Bay Education Center 
The Bay Education Center in Rockport and UTMSI suffered damage due to Hurricane Harvey and are both currently closed. They want to thank everyone for the support and understanding. Updates can be found by following Bay Education Center on Facebook.

For information on educational programs, 4-H program, Master Gardeners, and health education, A&M AgriLife Extension Office, 892 Airport Rd., Rockport, TX 361-790-0103   www.aransas.agrilife.org

Community Aquatic and Skate Park
The pool and park have been cleaned up from the storm, and now open at 9am (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 ΒΌ mile nature trail. FMI  pool2@cityofrockport.com, 361-727-9989 FMI  www.cityofrockport.com

Business Expo Thursday,
April 26 - 5-7pm -Calling All Superheroes!!! Whether you're the caped crusader of bookkeeping, insurance, hospitality, technology or beyond - there's only one place to be on Thursday, April 26th...at the Festival Grounds at Rockport Harbor for the Business Expo 2018. With the "Superhero" theme, the Rockport-Fulton Chamber of Commerce event provides access to many area businesses and is a great way to let people know what those businesses have to offer. This year's participants are encouraged to decorate their booths in honor of their favorite superhero. Admission is free. For more information, contact membership@1rockport.org .

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

Fulton Schoolhouse Museum
The Fulton Schoolhouse is scheduled to reopen in  April 
For more information or to schedule future group tours 361-729-5533  FMI www.fultontexas.org
 
Rockport Beach
(As of Feb. 1 you are required to purchase a pass for entrance)
There is still some debris, but now open. 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. Some events are still taking place at the outdoor pavilion by appointment only.  FMI 361-729-6661 or visit Rockport Beach on Facebook.

Rockport Little Theatre 
The Rockport Little Theatre was destroyed by Hurricane Harvey. At this time they are hoping to rebuild in the future.  FMI:  www.rockportlittletheatre.com

Goose Island State Park 
Every Wednesday
8 a.m. Shorebird Walk
Meet at the Rec. Hall 
 
Every Thursday & Friday
8 a.m. Woodland Walk
Meet at the Turks Cap parking lot by site #157
 
Every Saturday
8:30 -11a.m. Big Tree Natural Area Walk
Check in at Headquarters to obtain a ticket and the meet at The Big Tree Parking Lot.
 
Wild Wednesday Crafts
10-11 a.m. April 4, April 25
Nature-based arts & crafts with a Park Ranger are fun for the whole family!
Meet at the Rec. Hall.
 
Watercolor Wildflowers
10-11 a.m. April 6, April 12
Wildflowers are in full bloom in the park! Come flex your artistic muscles and create a keepsake piece of art. All ages and artistic abilities are welcome.
Meet at the Rec. Hall.
 
Science Sunday: Bay Seining
10-11 a.m., April 15
Discover what lives in the bay during this hands-on program.
See Park Headquarters for program location.
 
Big Sit! Saturday, April 21
A fun bird-watching event open to everyone! Join our staff to observe as many bird species as possible from a fixed location within a 17 ft. circle.
Visit or call Park Headquarters for more details.
 
Earth Day Volunteer Clean-Up Sunday, April 22
Celebrate Earth Day by helping us keep it clean!
Visit or call Park Headquarters for more details.
While we lost many of our beautiful oaks throughout the county, The Big Tree survived!!! 
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
 "Feathers and Scales" Celebrate Spring at Aransas!" Aransas National Wildlife Refuge 
Celebrate spring at the refuge and join us for two awesome programs at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge. EarthQuest, a non-profit organization out of Georgia, reached out to the refuge after Hurricane Harvey and wanted to do something to lift up our community, so they offered to bring their live animal demonstrations to YOU!

 
April 7 
 
11:30 am Enjoy a Birds of Prey show. Meet several live raptors and even watch them fly! L 
earn about what makes these powerful birds unique and fascinating.

Entrance to the refuge is free for the day, and this is a fun, family-friendly event! We all need a break after Hurricane Harvey - please join us! Come early or stay later and hike a trail, drive the auto loop, and explore your refuge!
This event will be OUTDOORS, so please bring your own chair as well as water, sunscreen, and bug spray.
Aransas National Wildlife Refuge is currently open from open daily from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. FMI, visit www.facebook.com/AransasNWRwww.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 7pm at the  Rockport American GI Forum - 1911 Hardee St. Rockport. FMI :361-729-7144

Cards
Every Monday and Friday, 12-4pm -  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.

Rockport Fulton Visitors Center
The Rockport-Fulton Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center is open from 9am to 5pm Weekdays and 9 am to 2 pm on Saturdays. Stop in for maps, restaurant locations, brochures and event information. View the history on the walls and enjoy the Members Gallery of brochures. 
Aransas County History Timeline, Map Room, Artifacts, Gifts, Members Room, Free admission. Hours of Operation 9am - 5pm Mon-Fri, 9am -2pm Sat. 319 Broadway, Rockport
For more information on the events above  www.rockport-fulton.org or 1-800-242-0071



For more information on open businesses and the Rockport-Fulton Strong progress: 


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This "Upcoming Events in Rockport-Fulton" e-mail is designed to inform visitors of what's going on in Rockport-Fulton in the upcoming month. Simply print the e-mail, and post for visitors to read.

If you have questions, please respond to this e-mail or call the Chamber at 361-729-6445.