2022 Event Highlights

Explore a diverse smorgasbord of events and festivals while enjoying the laid-back atmosphere of South Padre Island.

Fireworks

SisBoomBah! We are your fireworks destination beginning April 1st and going through the last week-end in October. From Memorial Day through Labor Day week-end, fireworks are shot from a barge located on the Laguna Madre between Marlin and Amberjack streets in the vicinity of Louie’s Backyard in the Entertainment District on Tuesday night at 9:15 p.m. From April 1st through October, you can watch fireworks on the beach in the vicinity of Clayton’s Bar & Grill on Friday and Saturday nights at 9:15 p.m. In addition to these nights, there are three special shows sponsored by the City of South Padre Island on the Saturday night before Memorial Day, on July 4th, and on the Saturday before Labor Day. These shows are located on the Laguna Madre between Marlin and Amberjack streets in the vicinity of Louie’s Backyard in the Entertainment District.

Be sure to check upon arrival for the latest fireworks schedule. Days and times may have changed since this printing, and you never know when another location might be added! Call the SPI Chamber at 956-761-4412 for the most current schedule. New Years Day Polar Dip

Bring in the New Year with an ‘anti-freeze dip’ in the beautiful Gulf of Mexico by joining over 1,000 visitors at the Annual South Padre Island Polar Bear Dip. Each New Year’s Day a hearty crowd of young and old renew their spirit by celebrating with a short sprint into water with an average temperature of 66 degrees. Unlike many other Polar Bear celebrations this time of year, South Padre Island is blessed with a temperate climate and refreshingly cold (never freezing) water. Registration begins at 10:00 a.m. and the Dip starts promptly at Noon at Clayton’s Bar & Grill. Admission is FREE and t-shirts are available for purchase on site, while they last! For more information about the Polar Bear Dip go to Face book.com/southpadrepolarbears El Paseo Arts Foundation

There is nothing better than a wonderful evening out while on the Island. Just imagine … dinner at one of the Island wonderful restaurants followed by a wonderful theater production. The El Paseo Arts Foundation serves the communities of the Lower Laguna Madre Area by bringing art, concerts, performances and plays to South Padre Island, Port Isabel and the surrounding areas. Their mission is to encourage, support and promote the arts for the benefit and education both of area residents and visitors. They produce or support a year-long schedule of events including Community Theater, concerts, performances, local fine arts shows, cultural events focusing on area history and educational events. Check-out their current season at www.elpaseoarts.org Sand Crab Beach Bike Ride and Beach Run

The Sand Crab 5K and 10K Bike Ride done entirely on sand is a great way to get a little exercise on a beautiful South Padre Island Beach in the morning. Riding on sand is quite challenging if you have never done it, so remember - the fatter the tire, the better. The 5K run is very rider friendly with a 1hr cut off. The 10K riders must be at the 3.1 mile turnaround within 1/2 hour. The bike ride is a great way to see the run course if you participate in both events.

The Sand Crab 5K and 10K Run is also run entirely on sand. Afterwards, have a couple of beers (with proper ID) while listening to great music with other runners on the deck at Clayton’s Beach Bar and Grill. The 5K run is very walker friendly with a 2hr cut off, and the 10K is walkable but will share the 2 hr cut off. The course will be lit with glow sticks and Flashing lights. Runners are required to run with a flashlight or head lamp in order to see foot placement.

For more information and registration go to www.RunInTexas.com/spibike for the Bike Ride and www.RunInTexas. com/spicrab for the Crab Run.

CAF AIRSHOW! 2022

In early October the Rio Grande Valley Wing of the Commemorative Air Force produces the only airshow of its kind south of San Antonio. AIRSHOW! is a two-day (Saturday and Sunday) family friendly extravaganza featuring World War II era warbirds recreating famous air battles, aerobatic performances by some of the finest stunt pilots in the country and a variety of modern military aircraft, both flying and static. And that is not all. AIRSHOW! also features ground activities like food and drink concessions, a flea market, kiddie land and more.

It is an expensive challenge to keep our aircraft flying, but we know it is worth it. With the proceeds from AIRSHOW! the RGV Wing of the CAF has been able to restore and maintain a number of rare and unique vintage aircraft, all of which are in flying condition.

AIRSHOW! provides a truly unique venue for reminding us of the many ways aviation impacts our lives. It has played a critical role in preserving the freedoms we all enjoy and in developing modern technology, and nothing reminds us of the special place aviation continues to have in our lives like seeing these majestic examples of our heritage where they belong … in the sky!

For more information about AIRSHOW! 2022 go to www.rgvcaf.org, email airshow@rgvcaf.org or call 970.397.4604.

The 41st Annual Ladies Kingfish Tournament is scheduled for August 12-14, 2022. This ladies only tournament is divided into two divisions, bay and offshore. Qualifying fish include redfish, trout and flounder for the Bay Division and Blackfin Tuna, Dolphin, Bonito and Kingfish for the Offshore Division. Trophies are awarded to the top three places in each category, and Grand Champion in both divisions. A Youth Division was added in 2021 for young ladies age 10 and under. They can fish in either the bay or offshore division, and first place trophies will be awarded for all species. For more information about the tournament call the SPI Chamber at 956.761.4412 or go to www.spichamber.com SPI Wahoo Classic

Mark your calendar now so you do not miss your chance to participate in the 6th annual South Padre Island Wahoo Classic scheduled for mid-September. Fishing from Jim’s Pier, anglers compete in three categories for cash prizes: Wahoo, Black Fin Tuna, and Dorado/ Mahi Mahi. The Gulf comes alive during September and October, so come join us during the best fishing weather of the year.

Although this is a traditional off-shore tournament, “Go Fast,” trailerable, center console boats are invited, and encouraged to participate. The three-day event includes a mandatory Captain’s meeting on Friday, a full day of fishing on Saturday, and the awards ceremony Sunday. Not only do you get a great weekend of fishing, but you will have also contributed to the donation made by tournament officials each year to a local non-profit through your registration fee. For more information about the tournament go to spiwahooclassic.com SPI Dive Week

An annual celebration of the sinking of the Texas Clipper; SPI Dive Week provides all divers an experience of a lifetime. Experienced open water divers can explore the A deck and the Promenade at 62 to 80 feet. Penetration divers experienced with overhead environments can tackle interior spaces at 70 to over 100 feet, and because much of the wreck is more than 60 feet above the bottom it can be explored by entry level divers. For more information about this September event, go to www. divesouthpadre.com Sand Castle Days

For over 30 years, Sand Castle Days has been an annual event that showcases the unique art form of sand sculpture with the help of amateurs and professionals. Currently being held on the beach in front of Clayton’s Resort, Sand Castle Days provides three fun-filled days of excitement in the sand. In addition to watching the masters create their masterpieces; attendees have the honor of casting their vote for the People’s Choice Award. Numerous demonstrations and opportunities for lessons from the master’s are also available. Other events during the day include music on the beach, kite exhibitions, vendors, artists and local non-profits providing education on our local environment and how to keep it healthy. For more information about this event, including dates and location go to www.sandcastledays.com 82nd Annual Texas International Fishing Tournament

The largest saltwater fishing tournament is Texas is scheduled for August 3-7, 2022, and provides an atmosphere of friendly fishing competition and wholesome family fun. Over 1,000 anglers from all other the United States join together to bring in fish that range from redfish, trout and flounder in the bay division to every species imaginable in the offshore division. Family fun is a must at TIFT and Kids Play Day kicks off the event each year. For more information on Texas’ oldest and most established fishing tournament call 956.943.8438, email info@tift.org or go to www. tift.org ` For a complete list of area events please go to sopadre.com