Mid January
Annual
Taste of the Island
The Annual Taste of the Island, one of the most looked
forward to events of the year, is held at the South Padre
Island Convention Centre from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Area
restaurants showcase their excellent food items, and there is
also be a free tradeshow and live music for your listening
enjoyment. Ticket information is available at the South Padre
Island Chamber of Commerce office located at 600 Pare Blvd.,
South Padre Island.
Early
February
Annual Kite Festival
The summer
blue sky will be filled with diving, darting, fluttering and
hovering kites. Experts and other kite lovers are on hand to
teach the fine art of hand-held sky ballet. South Padre
Island is host to two kite festivals each year.
Early
February
Annual
South Padre Island Chili Expo (SPICE)
In good-natured competition, cooking teams vie for votes from
the crowd for the coveted People's Choice award and turn in
their judging cups to be ranked by local celebrity judges.
There are also awards for Showmanship, Best Vegetarian, Best
Open Category and 1st through 10th Place for Best Recipe.
Criteria taken into consideration for judging is aroma,
consistency, red color, taste, and aftertaste. Showmanship
(must have chili entered) is judged on theme, costume, booth
set-up, action, and audience appeal. South Padre Island
Chamber at 956-761-4412
Early May
Annual
Windsurfing Blowout
This USWA (U.S. Windsurfing Association) event invites all
recreational windsurfers to compete in course slalom and
distance races. Finalists are sent to compete in higher
divisions. Now a nationally recognized event, it has become
an Island springtime tradition
Friday
nights
Memorial
Day through Labor Day
Fireworks
Every
Friday night is the Fourth of July on the Island. At 9:15
sharp, a silent barge in the center of the Bay releases it's
payload into the summer sky. With the firework light
reflecting off the water, it's a breathtaking display.
Early
August
Annual
Texas International Fishing Tournament
For more than 66 years, the Texas International Fishing
Tournament has taken pride in creating an atmosphere of
friendly fishing competition and wholesome family fun. The
five day event, , offers fishing divisions that include bay,
offshore and tarpon. TIFT is open to anglers of all ages and
is the largest saltwater fishing tournament in Texas. (956)
943-8438
Mid August
Annual
Ladies Kingfish Tournament
The Ladies Kingfish Tournament has been an Island tradition
for many years. The tournament is divided into two divisions,
bay and offshore. Qualifying fish include redfish, trout and
flounder for bay, and black fin tuna, dolphin and bonito for
offshore. Like TIFT, the tournament is open to anglers of all
ages.
Grand
Champion Offshore and Overall Largest Fish. Prizes are also
awarded for the best Hard Luck Story in each division. (956)
761-4412
Mid October
Bikefest
and Motorcycle Convention Rally
It's a South Padre Island Hog Rally that's billed as "The
Roar by the Shore."
Late
October
Sand Castle
Days
It's art and architecture in the sand. Get down and gritty
along with sandcastle wizards who will inspire you to build
sky scraping turrets and mind-bending arches. At the end of
the day, go splash off in the Gulf and admire what your hands
and buckets hath wrought. Prizes awarded for the most
exemplary effort.
Early
November
Tails Over South Padre Island Fun
Fly Fiesta
The clear
blue sky is filled with diving, darting, fluttering and
hovering kites. Experts and other kite lovers are on hand to
teach the fine art of hand-held sky ballet. South Padre
Island is host to two kite festivals each year.
