NEW! Pre-Festival Photography Excursion with Sean Fitzgerald
An overnight outing at Texas A&M's La Copita Ranch, approximately 7 miles from Alice Texas on Wednesday February 25-26. The overnight photography excursion includes a dinner cooked over mesquite wood by David, the ranch manager, accommodations in the ranch research guest house, and breakfast. La Copita is a working ranch for wildlife and rangeland research with the same habitat as the nearby Nature Conservancy brush county preserve. Guest house grounds include a native plant and cactus trail with interpretive signs, birding site and access to half a mile walking route to a wildlife observation blind with water and feeders. The renowned photographer Sean Fitzgerald will give invaluable personal tutoring in the field and wrap up on Thursday afternoon with an in-class image critique.You will not want to miss this opportunity to experience diverse native plants, stargazing, wildlife viewing and birds under the tutoring of an award winning wildlife photographer.
Fee for this trip is $225 per festival registrant. Limited to 8 persons. Transportation not provided.
NEW! Don't miss the Birding Field Trip at our new Nature Preserve: A Trek to Salt Island
Join our birding experts Joan and Scott Holt and Cecilia Riley on the first guided birding tour of the new Port Aransas Nature Preserve. This phase of the nature preserve will provide over 2 miles of hike and bike trails within the park and amenities include the Pavilion, boardwalks over algal flats, crushed granite trails on the uplands, covered seating sites and a tower overlooking wetland areas around Salt Island.
NEW! Children's Activity Corner FREE
Bring your Children to visit the Children's Activity Corner at the Birds Nest Trade Show in the Civic Center on Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 2pm. Courtesy of the Port Aransas Parks and Recreation Department.
Commemorative T-Shirts & Optical Equipment
The Port Aransas Chamber of Commerce is selling the 2010 Commemorative Festival T-shirts and Raffle Tickets at the Chamber Office at 403 Cotter. Beginning on Thursday, Feb 25 at 1:30pm, you can purchase your T-shirts at the Civic Center. Pre-registrants receive a $5 off coupon towards our 2010 Commemorative T-shirts, regularly $20. The raffle tickets are $2 each, 3 for $5, 8 for $10 and 20 for $20 and give registrants the opportunity to win a Vortex Skyline ED 20-60X80 angled spotting scope, Vortex Pro GT Tripod Kit, Day at Fennessey Ranch, Weekend of Birding at the Montana Audubon's Annual "Wings Across the Big Sky Birding Festival and more!
Art Center for the Islands Int'l Children's Art Exhibit FREE
Plan to view the incredible artwork created by children from the International Crane Foundation's "Bird of Peace" Art Exhibit. This traveling art exhibit features fine art by children from several countries, including Russia, China, Vietnam, Sweden, and the United States.
This free exhibit can be viewed at the Art Center for the Islands, 323 N. Alister.
February 15-February 28 Mon.-Sat. 11am-5pm and Sun. 12noon-4pm.
5th Annual Kiwanis Club Beach Dash
The Port Aransas Kiwanis Club is sponsoring a Beach Dash with a 10K run, 5K run, 2 mile walk and a kid's 1/2K dash. Awards and prizes will be given out and all proceeds benefit Port Aransas youth. Entry fee is $25 for all events on race day.
Sat., Feb 27 at 8:00am on the beach at Horace Caldwell Pier
Optics Presentations FREE
Kate Fitzmier and Ben Lizdas of Eagle Optics
Clay Taylor of Swarovski Optiks
Friday, Feb 26 and Sat., Feb 27 at 11:30am and 1:00pm
Bill Ellis Memorial Library, 710 W. Avenue A.
Guided Tour of the Wetlands Education Center (WEC) FREE
Carolyn Rose of UTMSI
Friday, Feb 26 at 3:00pm and Sat., Feb 27 at 2:00pm UTMSI Download the WCF Event Schedule |
