Galveston.com Spring Preview

Galveston celebrates Spring, offering a host of fun and events for the entire family. The Island will be bustling with art and theater activities, sports and nature events and wholesome family beach fun.

The Great Outdoors

Beginning in March and continuing all spring, nature lovers are invited to join Artist Boat Kayak Adventures for paddle tours of Galveston's premier ecological and historical jewels. Destinations include Galveston Island State Park, the East End Lagoon, and Christmas Bay. Artist Boat is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting awareness and preservation of coastal margins and the marine environment through the disciplines of the sciences and the arts. For schedule, click to galveston.com/artistboat/.

Stewart Beach, the Island ’s family-friendly beach, welcomes the Gulf Coast Volleyball Association tournaments once again this spring, with the March Madness Tourney March 20th; two April tournaments - on April 10th and April 24th; and 3 May Tournaments, including the "Bring Your Mom to the Beach Tourney" May 8th; the USAV Texas Junior Beach Open May 15th; and the Corona Wide Open May 22nd & 23rd.

Galveston Island State Park, located on Galveston Island's west end, offers a host of scheduled activities throughout the spring. Every Saturday, you're invited to take part in "Bring Your Own Boat Guided Paddling Tours" from 9am to noon, and "Beach & Surf Exploration" tours from 10am to 11:30am. And Sundays, you won't wanna miss "Discovering the Bay Shore and Mud Flats" tours from 10am to 11:30am. The park is located at 14901 FM 3005 on Galveston's West End.

Schlitterbahn Galveston Island Waterpark is the perfect place to catch a wave! Following the tradition of ride innovation that Schlitterbahn is known for, the Galveston Island park is the first convertible waterpark with an entire area that can be opened or closed for indoor / outdoor year-round operation. The indoor winter season continues now thru April 18th, while the outdoor summer season kicks off April 24th. For information, call (409)770-WAVE.

The Lone Star Flight Museum offers visitors to Galveston a rare chance to fly into history on one of five historic aircraft. The Museum offers rides on the B-17 Flying Fortress, B-25 Mitchell, AT-6 Texan, PT-17 Stearman and the Cessna T-41B. These are no simulators, this is the real thing! The Lone Star Flight Museum has restored and operated World War II era aircraft for many years, and the collection contains many famous warplanes. For more information on the Museum, contact them at (409)-740-7722. All Warbird flights need to be prescheduled, so contact the Flight Program Coordinator at flight@lonestarflight.org.

March 13th & 14th, the Galveston Home and Garden Show returns to the Galveston Island Convention Center at San Luis Resort, with over 100 exhibitors & vendors. Improve your home, while supporting the Galveston Island Humane Society.

Due to popular demand, the area’s only outdoor ice rink with views of Offatts Bayou will be back at Moody Gardens Saturday, March 13th thru 21st. Penguin-inspired visitors can strap on a pair of skates and express themselves with one of the coolest spring break activities around.

Sunday, March 28th, head over to Galveston's West End for the Annual Evia Spring Market. Enjoy an afternoon of shopping and fun with your Island family and friends.

Easter returns to Galveston Island with several family-friendly events at across the Isle. Easter Sunday, you won't wannna miss the San Luis Easter Brunch & Poolside Hunt, beginning at 11am. Easter in the Gardens will be held Easter Sunday, April 4th beginning at 11am at Moody Gardens, and will feature music, arts & crafts, and plenty of games and prizes.

Celebrate FeatherFest 2010, April 8-11. It’s no wonder people flock to this wonderful event, Galveston Island’s annual nature festival. Novice and expert outdoor lovers of all ages will go on unforgettable adventures amid more than 200 species of birds, many of which are passing through on their northward spring migration.

Where can you color on the sidewalk, pet exotic animals, learn about the performing arts and create all kinds of crafts and dance and sing along to music all day? Why, at the Grand Kids Festival , of course! Join The Grand Kids Festival for its 15th anniversary of this one-day festival featuring over 50 activity booths, 3 performance stages, storytelling and demonstration arenas and more! The annual Grand Kids Festival returns April 10th to beautiful Postoffice Street.

The Texas Adopt-a-Beach Cleanup returns April 24th.Volunteers will help clean Galveston’s beaches and collect data in this beach clean up event.

The next day, the Memorial Hermann Ironman 70.3 Texas will take place on Sunday, April 25th at Moody Gardens. The saltwater swim will be in the protected waters of the Offats Bayou, while the bike course will lead athletes on a flat and scenic ride along the coastline. Athletes will also see a flat run course, as it meanders through tropical gardens and towering glass pyramids.

May marks the return of the Galveston Island Beach Revue for a second year. The event will be held May 15th on the shoreline in front of the historic Hotel Galvez at 20th and Seawall. Featuring the world-famous Galveston Island Bathing Beauties, last year's revival of the historic summer favorite was a must-see for locals and tourists alike.

Everything is green at Moody Gardens at the Oleander Festival, May 15-16. Enjoy flower arrangement displays and oleanders for sale.

The ultimate beach party will return to Galveston's East Beach Saturday, June 5th, for the annual AIA Sandcastle Competition. For two decades, Houston area architects, designers, engineers and contractors have taken their tools to East Beach in Galveston for what is considered one of the world's largest sandcastle competitions. The Houston Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) sponsors this annual contest where some 80 teams have their eyes (and shovels) set on winning the prestigious "Golden Bucket" award.

Performing Arts

For theatre lovers, the spring holds a variety of shows and musical events you won't want to miss.

Galveston's crown jewel - The Grand 1894 Opera House - will be quite busy this spring! March will feature The Gershwin's Porgy and Bess March 6th; performances of Broadway's Hairspray at 3pm and 8pm March 13th ; a performance by the Galveston Symphony March 14th; Neil Berg's 101 Years of Broadway March 20th; and the Rob Landes Trio's Decades of Music March 21st. April 16th, you won't wanna miss Asleep at the Wheel with Ray Benson. Tony Award-winning entertainer Tommy Tune takes center stage for one incredible performance May 1st, as he closes The Grand’s 2009-2010 Performing Arts Season.

Galveston's community theatre, island e.t.c., will present the Broadway smash Rent, a modern-day version of Puccini’s classic 1896 opera, La Boheme, March 5th thru April 3rd, along with Bernard Slade's Romantic Comedy, May 14th thru June 5th.

Downtown Alive!

Returning this spring and continuing thru fall, Movie Night on The Strand return the first Saturday of each Month, while Music Nights on The Strand return the second Saturday. Audiences have thrilled to their favorite movies under the stars, and this spring's lineup will continue the fun. Scheduled movies include Gone with The Wind April 3rd; and National Treasure May 1st. Music nights will also feature an array of music styles, with the reggae tunes of Irie Time March 13th, the Cajun tunes of The String Benders April 10th, and the classic rock of The Convertibles May 8th.

The third Saturday of each month marks the return of The Market on The Strand. The event is held from 10am to 3pm at Saengerfest Park. Relax a bit as you stroll down The Strand, and visit with vendors about their items and their individual craft. Browse and shop items ranging from whimsical aprons to photographs of historic Galveston, bath salts, jewelry, plants, and much more. Spring dates are March 20th, April 17th, and May 15th.

Historic downtown Galveston will be the site for the inaugural Galveston Island Food and Wine Festival on April 16 -17. This two-day event includes an invitation only Chaîne black tie dinner on Friday and a public wine tasting event on Saturday from 2:30 – 5:30 p.m. in Saengerfest Park, 23rd and Strand. Tickets available at galveston.com/foodandwine/.

The 14th annual World Wild Game Championship and BBQ Cook-off benefiting the Yaga’s Children’s Fund will be held May 7th & 8th at Pier 21 on beautiful Galveston Island. Everyone is invited to participate. The competition is an excellent way for backyard chefs,sportsmen and women, and outdoor enthusiasts to show off their culinary skills and enjoy some good ‘ole fashion fun, fellowship and food.

Art enthusiasts won't want to forget ArtWalk, held every six weeks in art galleries and "other walls" throughout the Island, and presented by Galveston Arts Center. Spring ArtWalk dates are April 17th and May 29th.

Classes, Lectures, & Causes

Galveston Historical Foundation (GHF)’s popular and informative spring how-to series is now underway. The series of five presentations, held on Saturday mornings, combines practical tips with informed discussions of some of the architectural styles that are represented in Galveston. "Masonry Maintenance: How to Clean, Protect, aand Maintain Your Historic Brick and Stone" will be covered March 20th; "Landscaping for the Historic Galveston Climate" will be the topic April 10th; "Do's and Don'ts of Air Conditioning and Heating in Historic Buildings" will be the topic April 17th; and "Hands-On Weatherizing Windows and Doors" will close out the series April 24th.

GHF is highlighting 150 years of Ashton Villa with a free lecture March 19th entitled "Celebrating 150 Years of Ashton Villa: History of the Brown Family." J.M. Brown was one of the leaders in early Galveston and owned one of the largest hardware stores west of the Mississippi. This program will share the history of the Brown Family and more information on Rebecca Ashton Stoddart, his wife, and their five children.

Series & Special Exhibitions

The Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig & Museum is once again hosting its monthly Family Days. Each focuses on a different theme that relates to the offshore industry. The information is presented at student’s level using a variety of activities such as word games, coloring, and crafts. The goal is to promote family learning and quality time at a reduced cost. On April 10th, you'll learn why oil platforms are known as "Islands of Life;" and on May 8th, you'll discover how to "Play with Petroleum."

Get up close and personal with penguins during Moody Gardens Penguin Encounters! The Moody Gardens Penguin Encounter is a 45-minute program designed to allow guests to get up close to one of the penguins from the Aquarium Pyramid South Atlantic Exhibit. Led by a Moody Gardens biologist, the experience starts at the front of the exhibit and takes guests behind the scenes to the penguin food preparation kitchen and the back of the chilly penguin exhibit while discussing penguin biology, conservation, training, enrichment and care. Participants will experience the cool climate, sounds and even smells of the exhibit and witness a penguin create a work of art as part of an enrichment activity for the animal.

Galveston is home to hundreds of species of birds. Egrets, herons, ducks, hawks and gulls are a few who spend time on the Island. Those interested in learning more about area birds are invited to Moody Gardens for Birding 101 and Birding 201. Birding 101 will be held April 10th and May 8th. Birding 201 will be held March 20th, April 17th, and May 15th.

The big IMAX screen at Moody Gardens is home to a number of unforgettable films all spring long. In Living Seas, you'll meet an ocean full of life, including a whale, cuttlefish and a great variety of jellyfish. Shot on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and in the Bahamas, Ocean Wonderland brings to you the amazing beauty of the many varieties of coral and the immense diversity of the marine life thriving there. Across the Sea of Time tells the compelling story of an 11-year-old Russian stowaway, Tomas, who arrives in New York hoping to meet up with a branch of his family who came to America decades earlier. Armed with a stereopticon (a primitive precursor to today's 3D) and a handful of photographs from the turn of the century that an relative sent back to Russia, he suddenly encounters the sights and sounds of New York as it is today. And Wild Ocean is an explosive, symphonic giant screen film about man and nature that captures one of the world’s greatest spectacles. For full schedules, click to galveston.com/moodygardensimax/.

The feel-good Academy Award winning animated film Happy Feet will transform into a multi-sensory 4D experience. Spring vacationers can be the first to see Happy Feet 4D, a 3D digital movie packed with special effects like wind, mist and vibrating seats.

Moody Gardens is also currently featuring "Forgotten Gateway: Coming to America Through Galveston Island." The exhibit chronicles the Port of Galveston’s largely forgotten history as a major gateway to American immigration from 1845 to 1924. "Forgotten Gateway" builds on a growing scholarly and public interest in the history of migration patterns to America and Galveston’s place as one of the nation’s top immigrant ports in that history. "Forgotten Gateway" will be on exhibit through September 11, 2010.

Galveston Historical Foundation has been at the heart of an extraordinary preservation movement on the island for more than 50 years. Since its inception in 1954, GHF has saved hundreds of Galveston's most important treasures--from humble shotgun houses to Craftsman-style bungalows to nationally significant mansions, sacred landmarks, commercial buildings and maritime artifacts. Every year, in order to showcase the continuing success of the city's revitalization efforts, GHF opens a diverse collection of restored homes and other buildings to the public during the first two weekends in May. This year, the Historic Homes Tour will take place May 1st & May 2nd; May 8th & May 9th.

Book Lodging & Save!

These are only a few of the hundreds of springtime events occurring on beautiful Galveston Island thru May. For more information, please contact the Galveston CVB at (888)GAL-ISLE. To book lodging online, click here, or call toll-free (888)939-8680. When you book lodging via Galveston.com, you'll immediately receive hundreds of dollars worth of money-saving coupons to use during your stay.

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Galveston.com & Company, Inc.is a destination marketing corporation based in Galveston, Texas. The company specializes in destination portals, as well as online lodging, cruise, parking, and transportation reservations; and event ticketing via its proprietary DestinationNext module. For more information, contact Galveston.com & Company at via phone (409)763-8676 or email at websites@galveston.com.

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