South Padre Island Area Guide-Vacation Activities

Not too shabby for what started as a friendly competition for a bunch of guys from Colorado who needed something to do when the slopes melted. For more information about this event contact the South Padre Island Chamber of Commerce at (956) 761-4412.

Texas International Fishing Tournament
For over 70 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, scheduled for July 29 - August 2, 2009, 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.

Over 1,500 participate in the tournament each year weighing in fish that range from redfish, trout and flounder to every species imaginable in the offshore division. All eyes in the Valley are focused on TIFT during the five days of fun filled activities with live coverage provided by local television and radio stations.

TIFT anglers represent an extremely desirable market group. Most are residents of the Rio Grande Valley with disposable income ad a genuine enjoyment of outdoor activities. During the five day tournament anglers staying on South Padre Island and in Port Isabel have a direct spending effect in excess of $1.5 million – not including tournament expenses. In addition to the actual number of TIFT registrants, thousands of spectators also turn out to view weigh-in activities.

Originally instituted to promote the Rio Grande Valley as a whole, TIFT has become a family tradition that exemplifies the best the Valley has to offer. For more information about Texas’ oldest and most established fishing tournament call (956) 943-8438 or e-mail BettyTIFT@aol.com Visit the tournament web site at http://www.tift.org/

Ladies Kingfish Tournament
The Ladies Kingfish Tournament has been an Island tradition for many years. The 28th Annual tournament is scheduled for August 7-9, 2009. This Ladies Only tournament is divided into two divisions, bay and offshore. Qualifying fish include redfish, trout, flounder and snook for bay, and backfin tuna, dolphin and bonito for offshore. Like TIFT, the tournament is open to anglers of all ages.

Prizes are awarded to the top three places in each category, as well as Grand Champion Bay and Grand Champion Offshore.

Several local lady anglers got together over twenty-five years ago and decided they wanted a tournament of their own after spending years traveling with their husbands to tournaments. The first tournament was called Yellow Rose of Texas with approximately 20 anglers fishing in the offshore only tournament. Two years later the name was changed to Ladies Kingfish Tournament (LKT) and a new Island tradition was born. In 1993, the South Padre Island Chamber of Commerce took over the coordination of the growing event.

Over the years, the tournament has grown, and today you can see mothers and daughters fishing together, and maybe a few grandmothers and granddaughters. Become a part of another Island tradition – call (956) 761- 4412 for more information or check out the Chamber website at http://www.spichamber.com/

SPI BikeFest 2009
It’s the 15th anniversary of the South Padre Island Hog Rally that is billed as “The Roar by the Shore.” Come here to ride, or at the very least, to check out the miles and miles of chrome, leather, sweat and the full-throttle lust for life. Some of the events will include a concert, Poker Run, Tattoo Contest, Tire Toss, Slooow Race, Bike Wash, Weenie Bite, Scavenger Hunt, parade & photo, fireworks show and several non-biker events.

Did you know BikeFest SPI is sanctioned by the American Motorcycle Association and is an open rally that welcomes all motorcycle brands? Did you also know over 1,200 bikes and 2,000 people went on the Mexico Fiesta Run to Nuevo Progreso, Mexico? Just imagine, this was only a small number of the registered participants at the rally. What a turnout for this event.

If you have never done something like this, it is guaranteed you will never be the same. If you have participated in past years, don’t miss being a part of the 14th Anniversary, which promises to be the biggest and best ever! For more information go to http://www.spibikefest.com/ October 8-11, 2009

Fireworks
SisBoomBah! 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 breath taking display that will kick off your weekend the right way. (Memorial Day through Labor Day)

Kite Festivals
It is pure kid-joy at the end of a string! The beautiful South Padre Island skies will be filled with diving, darting, fluttering and hovering kites. Experts and natural born show-offs will be on hand to teach you the fine art of handheld sky ballet. South Padre Island is host to the SPI Kitefest in February and the SPI Kit Festival in November of each year. For exact event dates go to http://www.sopadre.com/

It’s art and architecture in the sand. Sand Castle Days is a not-for-profit annual event that showcases the unique art form of sand sculpture with the help of amateurs and professionals whose talents make the sand come to life. Starting two decades ago with a few locals scratching around in the sand trying to extend “the season,” Sand Castle Days has matured and grown to be one of the Island’s “Signature” events; entertaining hundreds of thousands of people in its 20 year history of creating art and memories on the beaches of South Padre Island. Sand Castle Days provides four funfilled days of excitement in the sand. While watching the Master Sandsculptors scratch and claw their way to fame and fortune, cast for your vote for the People’s Choice Award. Always wanted to build a sand castle? Take advantage of the numerous demonstrations and lessons from experienced instructors. Once you’ve learned all the tricks, sign-up for one of the amateur contests in either the youth, adult or family categories. Other event activities include music on the beach to set the mood for building sand castles, kite exhibitions, vendors, artists and local non-profits providing education on our local environment and how to keep it healthy. For a complete schedule of events and for pre-registration go to http://www.sandcastledays.com/ See you on the beach October 15-18, 2009.

Sports Events
Run, swim, bike and play on the Island. South Padre Island is host to many sports events throughout the year. Volleyball tournaments on Memorial Day and Labor Day week-ends, a bicycle tour from Brownsville to South Padre Island in May, surfing competitions in April and June, and triathlon and marathon races in August and October just to name a few. South Padre Island also plays host to the Invitational Division 1 Basketball Tournament on Thanksgiving week-end. So, lace up those sneakers, and set that daily workout routine aside for a seaside change of venue. For additional information on sporting events call 1-800-SOPADRE or go to http://www.sopadre.com/

Tour de Taste of the Island and Beyond
Taste of the Island has been the Laguna Madre’s premier food tasting event for the past 19 years. In celebration of 20 years, the event will transform into Tour de Taste of the Island and Beyond, providing a delightful fresh opportunity to sample our area’s diverse restaurant cuisines.

Area restaurateurs will open their doors and their menus to showcase their extraordinary offerings. During the event, you will have the unique opportunity to visit a wide array of restaurants and enjoy the chef’s Tour de Taste “special”, at your leisure, on your time schedule, all by simply purchasing your Tour de Taste of the Island and Beyond ticket.

Each year thousands of people have attended the one day Taste event. With the planned changes we expect even more to join in the fun. So gather your friends and family and come visit the Island for some relaxation, sun and great food!

For more information and ticket information contact the South Padre Island Chamber of Commerce at (956) 761-4412 or go to http://www.spichamber.com/

Pirate Days!
Ahoy mateys! The 35th Anniversary of the legal formation of the Town of South Padre Island in 2008 has allowed a former event to be reborn. There will be fun for all as we gather on various decks to honor our pirate past and celebrate our pillages and plundering. Get your eye patch and get into the spirit. For more information go to http://www.sopadre.com/