Tag Archives: South Padre Island

South Padre Island Announces Holiday Events

South Padre Island Tree Lighting

Visit South Padre Island is offering a lineup of fun and festive holiday events for the 2023 season. From the annual tree lighting ceremony to festive parades, the destination serves holiday cheer and rolls out the red and green carpet for locals and visitors alike. “We’re decking the palms this holiday season and creating the ultimate Winter Warmerland paradise in South Texas,” said Blake Henry, Visit South Padre Island executive…

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SpaceX Aims For Launch Amid Reviews

Eighty percent of Starbase’s workforce at Boca Chica Beach are Rio Grande Valley natives. (Courtesy)

SpaceX has completed a months-long process it says shows compliance with federal requirements that would authorize the second launch of the Starship rocket. The nearly 400-foot rocket currently sits on its launch pad on the shores of Boca Chica Beach. The initial Starship launch occurred on April 20. The rocket, which is described as the largest and most powerful ever built, got off the ground in spectacular fashion. Thousands of…

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SpaceX Readies Starship For Second Launch

Starship lifts off on April 20 before disintegrating over the Gulf of Mexico. (Courtesy)

SpaceX‘s Starship rocket is ready for its second launch, awaiting federal approvals, and eager to improve over an April launch that successfully lifted off but disintegrated over the Gulf of Mexico four minutes into flight. Kathryn Lueders, the new executive general manager at Starbase on Boca Chica Beach, gave that assessment on Thursday at an event hosted by the South Padre Island Chamber of Commerce at the Holiday Inn Resort.…

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Beach Picnics Give SPI New Experience

Growing up the daughter of a restaurateur taught Nadia Turner the importance of customer service and accommodating a client’s wishes. The family’s 5,000-square-foot Ann’s Restaurant in San Juan was a popular spot for local residents and Winter Texans in celebrating birthday parties and anniversaries. Turner has stayed in the hospitality business and branched out recently into a new realm of services. SPI Luxury Beach Picnics By Nadia is a far…

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42nd Annual Ladies Kingfish Tournament

The 42nd annual Ladies Kingfish Tournament takes place Aug. 11-13 in South Padre Island. The tournament is divided into two divisions, Bay and Offshore. Anglers fishing in the Bay Division will vie for trophies in the categories of Redfish, Trout and Flounder, while anglers in the Offshore Division complete in the categories of Kingfish, Bonito, Blackfin Tuna and Dolphin. Trophies will be awarded to the first three places in each…

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Journalist Transitions To Art Featuring RGV

Possible cover photo of causeway going to PI.

There was always one skill Ryan Henry had in his back pocket as he saw his journalism fade like a setting sun in one of his paintings.  The Rio Grande Valley-area newspapers that Henry so capably served for over two decades have clearly seen their better days. There was no lessening of his own interests and commitment to newspapering, but Henry grew tired of years-long struggles as an editor in…

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Margarita Madness Benefiting Maggie’s & Monica’s House

Join the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Cameron and Willacy Counties in celebrating 25 years of service to the children of Cameron and Willacy Counties. All proceeds will help the organization continue with its mission to serve and advocate for child victims of abuse through education, prevention, intervention and recovery. Contact George Pardo for ticket information.

UTRGV Hosts Latina THRIVE Summit

STEM, woman scientist

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley will host the “Latina THRIVE Summit” for college faculty and administrators on May 18-19 on South Padre Island. This year’s summit at the Courtyard by Marriott South Padre Island will focus on the THRIVE (The Healthy DepaRtment Initiative for InclusiVe Excellence) Partnership. With the support of the National Science Foundation’s ADVANCE program, THRIVE seeks to remedy gender inequity in academic STEM careers. Marci…

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Alligator Sanctuary Anniversary

SPI Alligator Sanctuary anniversary

The South Padre Island Birding, Nature Center & Alligator Sanctuary celebrates its fourth anniversary on May 6 with fun for the young and young at heart. Gator Talks are scheduled at 11a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Come by and visit with baby gators, juvenile gators and see the King Queen Gators – Big Padre and Lady Laguna. Free admission.