Port Aransas to celebrate centennial

P ort Aransas will turn back the clock for a day on Saturday, Oct. 16, when

the city will celebrate its

100th birthday.

The day-long festival will feature old-fashioned fun that will include a city-wide picnic, parade, fishing contests for kids and adults, storytelling, familyfriendly games and activities, an art walk and the burial of a time capsule. The picnic phase of the festival will be headquartered at Roberts Point Park. Other festivities will take place in Old Town around the Port Aransas Museum.

Businesses and nonprofit organizations are will host activities during the picnic phase of the festival that will be from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Most events, snacks and drinks will be free. Any fees charged will be only to cover costs.

One activity will be a “Islandmuttsster Dog Contest” to be judged by Friends of the Animal Shelter.

Among other possible activities and booths will be a free popcorn booth, saltwater taffy pulling machine, water/drinks booth, horseshoes, pass the potato racse, face painting, penny toss and toe sack races.

Participants are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch or purchase one from a local restaurant to enjoy at the park.

The day will begin with opening ceremonies at 9 a.m. followed by a piggy perch contest sponsored by the Port Aransas Junior Boatmen.

The Port Aransas Boatmen, Inc. will sponsor an adult tournament with details to be announced.

Guided tours of the Wetlands Education Center at The University of Texas Marine Science Institute will be offered from 8 to 11 a.m.

The festivities will move to Old Town after the picnic. A parade will start at 1 p.m. and end at the Port Aransas Museum where there will be storytelling by old-time Port Aransas residents, the time capsule will be buried and a birthday celebration with cake and coffee will be held from after the parade until 4 p.m.

The Port A Art About art walk will conclude the celebration from 4 to 7 p.m.

Watch the weekly editions of the South Jetty for details.