Free Family Fun at Saengerfest Park:
30i in Concert & “Goosebumps” in Downtown Galveston
Saengerfest Park, located in the heart of Downtown Galveston, is a great place to find free family-friendly fun as the days (slowly) begin to cool off.
Saengerfest Park is a small, square park located on the corner of 23rd St. and The Strand in Galveston’s Historic Strand District. Saengerfest Park is known for having a large, playable chess set, a large compass that can be used as a seat, a colorful iconic Galveston wall mural, a huge beach chair offering photo opportunities, wooden benches, an old-fashioned London-style phone booth, and a stage used for festivals, movies, and concerts.
Visitors and residents are invited to enjoy free movies the first Saturday of each month beginning just after dusk. Moviegoers are encouraged to set up a blanket or chair. One free movie remains for the season:
- October 5th: “Goosebumps” (2015)
Music Nite on The Strand takes place on the second Saturday of each month, 6-9pm. These free concerts are a great family-fun event. Dancing is highly encouraged. One free concert remains for the season:
- October 12th: 30i (Rock)
Events are presented by Mitchell Historic Properties and The Galveston Island Convention & Visitors Bureau. For more info go to galveston.com/saengerfestpark.
October 12th (8am-12:30pm): Kid’s Fun Fishing Day will be held at Pelican Rest Marina, 7819 Broadway, Galveston. The 8th Annual Fun Fishing Day for the residents of Ronald McDonald House of Galveston and patients at Shriners Hospitals for Children – Houston! Help bring the joy of fishing alive for a child! Various sponsor levels, including in-kind, are available. Showcase your company’s name or logo on the event shirts, signage, and social media posts! The deadline to guarantee a t-shirt listing is September 27th at facebook.com/events/1112905615764809/.
Buy One Eco-Art Kayak Adventure, Get One FREE Eco-Art Kayak Adventure for this Saturday’s paint & paddle at Christmas Bay, in Galveston, Oct.12, from 10am-2pm.
Christmas Bay is located on Follet’s Island just across from the San Luis Pass Bridge. Artist Boat’s American Canoe Association certified guides will teach you paddling skills, how to identify native species, and will interpret natural processes. We will teach you, you will have a blast, and you will learn some cool stuff about Christmas Bay. Spoiler alert! It’s a natural wonder and hosts the largest natural sea grass beds in Galveston Bay. Bring a sack lunch to enjoy while you learning to paint with a short watercolor lesson! Yes, you get to take your painting home!
Once you’ve registered, you’ll receive an email confirmation with all the specifics, what to wear, etc.
Perfect for families, groups, solo explorers, beginners and seasoned kayakers!
You must pre-register and book online.
Heads up: You’ll have to know the weight, age, and DOB for each paddler, so get your info ready and sign up at https://www.artistboat.org/public-kayak-registration/. Use code BOGO12 on the order page (as a COUPON from the drop down menu-see image below). Call us if there is any issues (409) 770-0722 – we’re here to help Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm.
CastAway Rods Guppy Cup
This year’s FREE event will once again be at Seawolf Park located in Galveston, TX. The Kidfish will be on October 12, 2019 with check-in beginning at 9:30am day of event. All anglers must register online and then check-in at the tent the day of event.
Divisions: 3-9 Years Old and 10-16 Years Old
Categories: Bull Redfish (Over 28′) and Open (Any Legal Fish; No Stingrays)
Check-In: 9:30AM
Weigh-In Times: 10:00AM – Noon
Awards: Approximately 12:30PM; Awards will be handed out at Awards Ceremony. Angler Must be Present at Awards Ceremony to Win. Awards donated by CastAway Rods, Advanced Electrical Systems, Allstate Insurance O’Donohoe Agency, Galveston Municipal Police Association, Nautical Antiques & Tropical Decor
1st to 3rd per Division for Bull Redfish; 1st to 10th per Division for Open
Rules: All fish entered into tournament MUST be caught at Seawolf Park. Anglers may be assisted while fishing but must participate in catching the fish. To enter a fish, the angler must have participated in catching the fish. Standings will be based on weight of a single fish per category. First tie breaker will be time weighed in (earlier time wins) and second tie breaker will be length of fish (larger wins). To qualify for a weigh-in, angler must be in line with fish by noon. No repeat winners allowed. Once an angler places 1st to 10th in any category, they will be excluded from winning again for the remainder of the event to give other anglers an opportunity. A fish entered may only be entered one time throughout the event. Fish entered must be of legal size. No stingrays allowed to be entered. Kids are exempt from Texas fishing licenses, but if they wish to retain a Red Drum over 28′, they will need to purchase an Exempt Angler Tag ($3) and bring with them the day of event. This tag is available for purchase at any location where TPWD Fishing Licenses are sold.
Other: Kids participating must supply their own rods, tackle and bait. An ice chest is recommended if you would like to bring fish home. Also recommend bringing a bucket to put water in to transport fish to weigh-in. This will help to keep the fish alive if you wish to release after weigh-in.
First 100 Anglers to Check-In at Tent day of event will receive a box lunch courtesy of Yaga’s Cafe.
First 300 Anglers to Check-In at Tent day of event will receive a goodie bag courtesy of Cabela’s.
First 300 Anglers to Check-In at Tent day of event will receive an event t-shirt courtesy of Lloyd Engineering and Koza’s, Inc.
The Cuban Spot Food Truck will be on location selling food – www.thecubanspot.com.
Prizes: Random door prizes will be handed out throughout the day and during awards ceremony. Prizes donated by Academy Sports & Outdoors, CastAway Rods, Texas Game Warden Association
Sponsors: Academy Sports & Outdoors, Advanced Electrical Systems, Allstate Insurance O’Donohoe Agency, Cabela’s, CastAway Rods, CCA Galveston Chapter, Galveston Municipal Police Association, Galveston Police Memorial Fund, Galveston Park Board, Koza’s Inc, Lloyd Engineering, Nautical Antiques & Tropical Decor, Texas Game Warden Association, Yaga’s Cafe
****Must print out ticket(s) and bring day of event for admission into park and for check-in.****
Different GPS show the location of Seawolf Park at different addresses. When turning North onto 51st Street, Seawolf Parkway, or Pelican Island Causeway Road, continue on road and it will dead end into Seawolf Park.
If you wish to register more than one child in the same division, you can log back on as many times as needed to do so.
Hunt for coastal treasures with state park naturalists.
Beach Exploration hikes start at the park’s Day Use Beach boardwalk (adjacent to the restrooms and parking lot.)
Get a close-up look at the many critters and birds that inhabit the sand, surf and seaweed. This Saturday tour includes hands-on seining, searching for ghost crabs and beachcombing under the guidance of Friends of Galveston Island State Park (FoGISP) volunteers.
October 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th, November 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th (10am): Prairie Walk – Learn about the coastal prairie on a guided walk. The new Prairie Adventure will meet in the Galveston Island State Park (Park) Nature Center. Visitors will be introduced to the Park, the exhibits in the Nature Center and the Coastal Prairie. Visitors will then follow a guide to the parking area at the Clapper Rail Trail and then learn about the wonders of the Bay and Coastal Prairie including a little about the bay and wetlands, the flora and fauna and prairie restoration efforts in the Park. The Prairie Adventure is free, but visitors will need to have paid the Park admission fee.
Galveston Island State Park is located on the west end of the island at 14901 FM 3005, Galveston. For more info call (409)737-1222 or go to tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks/galveston-island. The beachside of Galveston State Park (everything south of FM 3005) is closed as renovations take place. The side facing the bay will remain open. This closing is expected to last for about three years.
October 12th (11am-2pm): Fall Festival and BBQ Fundraiser – Join for BBQ, bounce house, face painting, and more. Purchase a $20 ticket which includes BBQ plate and all games. This will be held at Children’s Coalition, 5127 Ave. U, Galveston. For more info go to facebook.com/events/365747667421366/.
October: Halloween Movie Nights – Saturday nights in October, drop by for spooky fun and Halloween movies. Movies schedule are:
- October 5th: “Hotel Transylvania,” shown at dusk
- October 12th: “The House With A Clock In Its Walls,” shown at dusk
- October 19th: “Goosebumps 2,” shown at dusk
- October 26th: “Coca” and Halloween Party
October 10th (10am-8pm): Galveston Appreciation Day will take place where all-day ride passes will be $15.99. This is in conjunction with the Harvest Moon Regatta at 2pm.
October 11th-14th: Scout Weekend – There will be discounts for scouts with $17.99 All Day Ride Passes ($2 donated back).
October 26th (3-9pm): Halloween Party – Bring the kids out for a ghostly good time with discounted ride tickets, trick or treating, costume contest, activity corner, movies and more.
Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier, located at 2501 Seawall Blvd., features family-oriented attractions including rides, midway games, food venues, and retail shops. All events and rides are weather permitting. For more info, tickets, and a full list of events go to pleasurepier.com.
For decades, the historic Pleasure Pier served as a tourism catalyst for Galveston’s Seawall Boulevard and the Texas Gulf Coast. More than 40 years after the original Pleasure Pier was destroyed by Hurricane Carla, Landry’s has transformed the Pleasure Pier into a world-class amusement park for all ages.
Tickets are available for Walk-On only (no rides), Single Rides, All Day Ride Passes, and Weekend Pass for three parks at tickets.pleasurepier.com.
The Island goes Greek for the 37th Annual Galveston Greek Festival, October 12 and 13, when the Greek Community hosts their annual party at 1824 Ball St.
What sets this event apart is that the food made on-site by parishioners, mostly who are professional chefs, or incredible cooks in their own right. Fresh ingredients are used in the centuries-old recipes much to the delight of all visitors. The Greek plate consists of pastitsio, meatballs, dolmades, olives, salad, cheese, and bread for $16. All other items sold ala carte include souvlaki, gyros, dolmades, meat and vegetarian, salad, olives and cheese, tyropita and spanakopita. Prices range from $4 to $8. A meal is not complete without a pastry or two and selections include baklava, kourambiedes, paximadia, koulourakia, and a few new pastries that will debut at the event. All foods and pastries are available to go.
A featured beverage is FIX beer, the Bud of Greece for generations, as well as Mythos Beer, that has won numerous awards for its flavor and remains a favorite of the European market. Served ice cold, both are sure to win the favor of those attending the Greek Festival. Greek wines have been paired to compliment the dishes being served.
Returning by popular demand is King of Bouzouki, Alex Kalos who will perform with his band throughout festival hours, and the Greek Dancers who will perform every two hours. Church tours will be led by Father Stelios Sitaras. Imported merchandise and food products from Greece will be available for purchase at the community gift shop and at vendor booths. An inside-outside event, the festival is rain or shine.
There is no admission to attend the festival, however, a small donation is appreciated and proceeds benefit the Assumption of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church. Food and drink tickets sold in $2 increments. cash and credit cards are accepted, and an ATM is available.
Come for a visit and stay awhile. Greek Festival hours are Saturday, 11 am – 8 pm and Sunday, 12 noon – 6 pm. There’s no party like a Greek party. Rain or Shine. Don’t miss it. www.galvestongreekfestival.com.
Every Sunday (12:30-4:30pm): Schooner Sundays – These sailing lessons are for those interested in learning to sail, becoming members, or simply looking to enjoy a day out on the water. Guests are invited to work the sails if they like, or even steer, as the captains point out areas of interest along the route. Reservations are required. This is free for members and $50 for non-member adults, $40 non-member students.
