February Events & Attractions
Quilt Show A New Leaf

When: February 1-2
Biennnial Quilt Show presented by Piecemakers by the Bay. 18 vendors, plus a scrap dive, a country store and a silent auction. Hundreds of door prizes, demos and a donation quilt. Each attendee receives a handmade gift. There are 126 quilts in the show. https://piecemakersbythebay.org/
Bountiful Bowl Pottery Fair

When: February 8
18th annual Pottery Fair featuring 30 Potters from around the state and beyond.. Held at the Rockport-Fulton High School Commons on Sat. Feb. 9th, 2020. This Pottery Fair all proceeds go for Meals on Wheels in Aransas County. https://bountifulbowl.org/
LaMardi Gras

When: February 14-15
LaMardi Gras is a celebration with a local flare to benefit the Lamar Volunteer Fire Department. This annual event occurs the at Lamar Volunteer Fire Department located at 302 Bois D'arc, Rockport, TX 78382. The celebration starts Friday evening at 5-11pm and Saturday 10am to 11pm. Activities include a parade, live music, cold beer, themed food, auctions, casinos, and more. 
Bay Education Center

Now Open! Thursday-Saturday 12-4 PM
The Bay Education Center is open !!! T he Science on the Sphere is up and ready for you to visit. The permanent exhibits are still under construction, but a temporary art installation is coming soon. Come and see it for yourself! Call (361) 749-3161 for more information.
Attractions
Fishing in the Bays are Plentiful

Open piers:
Breakwater (End of Market Street) pier, Rockport Beach North Pier, Leggett Channel, Rockport Harbor Seawall, Bulkhead at Fulton Harbor, Copano Kayak Site, Howard Murph Park, Copano Causeway Boat Launch.

State Park:
Goose Island pier is closed but fishing is available at Day Use Area and Boat Ramp.

Open marinas:
Cove Harbor Marina, Copano Causeway Ramp and Boat Launch, Rockport Beach Park, and Fulton Harbor and Cove Harbor Marina.
Birds are Flying High

Birding Migration:
From the Gulf of Mexico to beaches, bays and estuaries and inland woods, prairies and fields, one will find extraordinary birding throughout Aransas County. We have 10 birding sites on the Great Texas Birding Trail.

From November to March, the world's only wild flock of over 500 endangered Whooping Cranes calls the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge home.
Accolades
To see more of our accolades, visit our website at rockport-fulton.org/featured-news .
Around Town Community Events


Aransas Bird and Nature Club
February 19- 11:30 am, We are kicking off the Whooping Crane Festival. Program: Community-led Conservation for Whooping Cranes presented by Dr. Liz Smith, North America Program Director, International Crane Foundation. Aquarium at Rockport Harbor Education Center

8th annual Texas Winter Market II
February 8-9:Come shop with us at the 8th annual Texas Winter Market II coming to the Aransas Pass Civic Center (700 W. Wheeler ~ Aransas Pass, TX). Our vendors will be bringing the best in clothing, jewelry, gifts, Scentsy, Texas handmade, home decor, accessories, gourmet food, photography, Texas wine sampling, candles, gifts for the guys and so much more. Show hours are Sat. 10-5 and Sun. 10-4. Admission is $3.00 or $2.00 with your non-perishable food donation to St. Mary Star of the Sea food pantry. Admission is good for both days and kids 12 and under are FREE. We have lots of free parking and hourly door prizes too. We are pleased to have Toscano Burgers & More coming out to the event to feed everyone both days! For more info call 888-225-3427. See you at the show.

Rockport-Fulton Outdoor Market Days
February 15- Over 100 booths filled with great vendors, food vendors, live music, covered seating and as always, a pet friendly environment! EVERY 3RD SATURDAY OF EVERY MONTH. Open Saturday from 9-5. Come join the fun and add your energy to our recovery!!! FMI, follow Rockport-Fulton Market Days and get your shop on!!  Facebook  |  Website  | 361-463-0125. 

Fulton Mansion State Historic Site
February 6- Moonlight on the Mansion, 5-8 pm, Every 1st Thursday the Fulton Mansion is open late until 8 pm! his month’s program at Moonlight on the Mansion is “Affectionately Yours: Fulton Love Letters.” Learn more about a George and Harriet’s relationship through primary sources—their letters. This will be a fun, interactive program with group discussions on the Fulton Mansion love story. Self-guided tours are available until 8. Last Ticket Sold at 7:15 pm.
February 22- Winter Slate Workshop, 10 am to 12 pm, MAKE & TAKE home a piece of history! Join us for our Winter Slate Workshop and create a piece of art out of slate from the Mansion's restoration. Cost is $20 per person and will include a piece of slate from the Mansion's restoration and all needed supplies for the workshop. Ages 12+ preferred. RSVP by emailing  Chandler.Wahrmund@thc.texas.gov  or calling (361) 729-0386 ext. 30
The Fulton Mansion is open Tuesday-Sunday 10am-5pm and every first Thursday from 10am-8pm. Adult admission $7.00, Seniors $6.00, children $4.00, children under 5 are free. The Fulton Mansion is located 317 S. Fulton Beach Rd. Rockport, TX. Call ahead for the most up-to-date information: 361.729.0386 or visit our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/visitfultonmansion

Texas Maritime Museum - Education Center
February 3- Brown Bag Lunch Lecture Series, 12-1 PM. Charles Smith will present “A Very
Different Navy.” He will describe his own grandfather’s journey with Theodore Roosevelt’s Great White
Fleet during their 1908 journey around the world. Guests are welcome to bring their own lunch, but
cookies will be provided.
February 10- Brown Bag Lunch Lecture Series, 12-1 PM. We will hear from Justin Parkoff, curator
of the Houston Maritime Museum. Parkoff will talk about marine archaeology and the many projects he
has worked on, ranging from diving in clear water to water too dark to tell a timber from a gator’s tail.
Guests are welcome to bring their own lunch, but cookies will be provided.
February 11- Seafaring Saga Movie Night, 7 PM. We will be showing the 1937 drama Affairs of Cappy
Ricks. When Cappy Ricks returns home, he finds chaos with his daughter preparing to marry the son of
his rival. Meanwhile, his mother-in-law is running his business and preparing to fill his house and boat
with the sort of automated gadgets he despises. In order to regain control, Cappy Ricks hits on a
desperate plan. Rated 13+. Movie nights are free, and popcorn and soda will be available for purchase.
February 17- Brown Bag Lunch Lecture Series, 12-1 PM. Topic and speaker to be announced
February 23- Dr. Seuss at the Museum, 2-4 PM. Children will enjoy story times, activities, crafts
and face painting during this outdoor program. Dr. Seuss at the Museum celebrates the importance of
literacy and reading as a part of Read Across America and Read Across Aransas County.
February 24- Brown Bag Lunch Lecture Series, 12-1 PM. Omar Garcia, Chief External Affairs
Officer for the Port of Corpus Christi, will talk about the history and growth opportunities for the port
and the Coastal Bend. Guests are welcome to bring their own lunch, but cookies will be provided
Texas Maritime Museum is open Tuesday-Saturday 10 AM-4 PM and Sunday 1-4 PM. Located at (1202 Navigation Circle, Rockport, TX 78382. For membership, volunteer information, and other activities: call 361-729-1271 or visit  texasmaritimemuseum.org

Rockport Center for the Arts 
Free Family Saturdays during the school year. Stop by the Art Center any Saturday during the school year and make an original work of art with your children. Each Saturday will feature a different project. Most projects take approximately 30 minutes to 1 hour each. You may drop in anytime between 10 and 4. All are welcome! An adult must accompany all children.
Rockport, famous for its vast colony of more than 800 artists, has been identified as "The 100 Best Small Art Towns in America" by John Villani and "Top 10 Artist Colonies" by Allen Bunting in Coastal Living Magazine.
Visit Rockport Center for the Arts location at  406 Austin  (at Estelle Stair Gallary) in Rockport.
Hours of operation Monday-Saturday: 10 AM-4 PM | FMI 361-729-5519 or visit  rockportartcenter.com   

The History Center for Aransas County
2nd Saturday of the month – Plant Exchange, 10 am to 12 pm
February 9- Canary Islanders Association, 2pm
February 23-  Local Family, 2pm
Hours: Monday and Friday 10 AM -2 PM; Saturday 10 AM-4 PM; Sunday 1-4 PM
801 E. Cedar St. Rockport  | A Pathways Venue
For membership, volunteer information, and other activities: call 361-727-9214 or visit  http://www.hcfriends.net/ g

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension-Aransas County
February 18- 12-1 pm, February Brown Bag, “Landscape Design Using Native and Adapted Plants.” Speaker Dave Ilfrey, Native Dave – Sustainable Landscape Solutions. Presented by: Aransas/San Patricio Master Gardeners and AgriLife Extension – Aransas County. Free event. | Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, 892 Airport Rd, Rockport, 361-790-0103
February 13, 20 & 27- 9-10:15 am, Vegetable Gardening Classes includes a garden plot (free classes) must register for classes. Presented by: Aransas County Healthy Community Garden, program of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension | Location: Aransas County Library, 361-790-0103 or email to  aransas-tx@tamu.edu .
February 22- 8 am - 3 pm, GROWING TOMORROW - 2nd Annual Coastal Bend Children's Conference. Keynote Speaker(s): Dr. Pam Schiller and Dr. Jean Feldman. Presented by: Children’s Coalition of Aransas County More information and registration at  https://www.childrenscoalitionac.org/training.html
Location: Rockport-Fulton High School, 1801 Omohundro Street, 361-255-3000
A&M AgriLife Extension Office,  892 Airport Rd., Rockport, TX
Call 361-790-0103 or visit  www.aransas.agrilife.org  for more information

Aransas Pathways
Discover your Pathway! Hiking-Biking-Kayaking-History and Birding. Attractions and Nature trails throughout Aransas County. Visit:  www.aransaspathways.com  | 361-729-6445

Disc Golf at Memorial Park
On November 23, 2019, the City of Rockport opened a free, nine-hole, disc golf course at Memorial Park. Disc golf is played much like golf. Instead of a ball and clubs, though, players use a flying disc or Frisbee®. The sport was formalized in the 1970s and shares with golf the object of completing each hole in the fewest strokes (or, in the case of disc golf, fewest throws). FMI visit https://www.cityofrockport.com/723/Disc-Golf-at-Memorial-Park

Rockport Little Theatre
Our new location is La Palma is located at  2955 Hwy 35, Rockport , TX. FMI:  www.rockportlittletheatre.com  |  President@RockportLittleTheatre.com

Rialto Theater
Every Tuesday night we have Open Acoustic Jam! 6-9 pm. Happy Hour 6-7 pm $3 beer/wine. Come play, sing along, or just enjoy!
February 1-2: “Church Basement Ladies” In rural Minnesota, 1965, the ladies of the local church fortify their flock with love, wisdom and, of course, the food they prepare in the church’s basement kitchen. Church Basement Ladies mixes together delightful original music, endearing characters, and side[dish]-splitting scenes to yield a deliciously funny musical comedy.
February 14- Valentines Day Concert featuring Texas singer-songwriter Mike Blakely. 7:30 pm
February 15- “The Not-so-Newlywed” game night with Aransas Repertory Theatre. Free admission. 6-9 pm
The Rialto Bar offers a wide selection of beer and wine plus setups for BYOB. Located at  327 South Commercial Street, Aransas Pass . Visit us on Facebook. FMI: 361-758-0383 or  art@rialtotheater.org  or rialtotheater.org

Rockport Country Club
Rockport Country Club has reopened to an overwhelmingly positive response from members. With a new bar concept, redesigned dining area and lounge with all new furnishings, Rockport Country Club is poised to offer its members a lifestyle not found anywhere in the Coastal Bend area. For membership or to be a "Member for a Day" contact Stan Reeder at 361-450-4393. FMI visit our website  www.rockportcc.com

Rockport Beach
Texas' first Blue Wave Beach! Located at 210 Seabreeze Drive, Rockport, TX 78382. Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 6am-11pm and Friday-Saturday, 6am-11pm. Parking costs for the Rockport Beach are $5/Daily and $20/Yearly.

Birding and Dolphin Tours/Boat & Kayak Excursions
Boat Tours are available. Information on Dolphin and birding adventures can be obtained by contacting the Rockport-Fulton Chamber of Commerce 1-800-242-0071

Community Aquatic and Skate Park
Pool Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 9-5pm | Sunday 12pm-5pm
Water aerobic classes: Aqua Strength 9 AM, Aqua kickboxing 10 AM
The pool and park are now open at 9AM (Tuesday-Saturday). Admission is $5. Classes include: Water Aerobics, Water Walking and Lap Swim. The park houses an 8 Lane, 25 yard pool (heated to 86 degrees) and diving area, a bathhouse, towel warmer and swimsuit dryer. The park includes a 6000 sq. ft. modular skate park (open) It also has a playground, picnic area, and a ¼ mile nature trail. FMI:  pool2@cityofrockport.com  | 361-727-9989 |  www.cityofrockport.com

Fulton Schoolhouse Museum
The Schoolhouse Museum is the original one-room schoolhouse of Fulton, TX that was rebuilt in the 1940's after being damaged by a hurricane. Visitors to the museum will experience a sense of what education was like from a bygone era. Expect to see the schoolhouse as it was originally set up along with numerous original artifacts of that era. Free tours but items are available for purchase, such as note cards, bookmarkers and all donations are accepted, as well. Open on Saturdays and Sundays from 1–4 PM, and for groups of four or more any time (or by appointment, call 361-729-5533). Come see what a one-room schoolhouse looked like, a huge model of the Fulton Mansion, and lots of photos and memorabilia of old time Fulton. For more information or to schedule future group tours call 361-729-5533 or visit  www.fultontexas.org | 205 N 7th Street, Fulton, TX 78358

The Aquarium at Rockport Harbor - Education Center
The Aquarium at Rockport Harbor Education Center offers a multitude of events throughout the year. All events are free at this time but donations are always welcome to help support the Aquarium. Open Daily 1pm - 4pm ~ Closed Tuesday & Wednesday. Visit our website for more information.
Aquarium Education Center is located at 706 Navigation Circle, Rockport, TX.

Goose Island State Park
Woodland Bird Walk: Wednesdays 8:30-11 am. Big Tree Natural Area Bird Walk: Thursdays & Saturdays 8:30-11 am. Shorebird Walk: Fridays 8:30-11 am.
Goose Island State Park is open 7 days a week from 8 AM-10 PM. Park Headquarters is staffed 7 days a week from 8 AM-5 PM. For more information, visit  https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/goose-island https://www.facebook.com/GooseIslandSP/ , or call 361-729-2858. The wooded area of Goose Island State Park is open for overnight RV and tent camping. The boat ramp, fish cleaning station, nature trail, and picnic area are available for day use. Large portions of the island bayfront area will be closed for construction for the foreseeable future. Please obey all barriers and construction markings when visiting the park. While at Goose Island, be sure to visit one of the most famous live oaks in the world, the "Big Tree" estimated to be centuries old. Goose Island State Park offers a variety of programs for all ages. For more information on scheduled openings or park programs, visit  www.tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/goose-island or 361-729-2858

Aransas National Wildlife Refuge
Aransas National Wildlife Refuge is offering Guided Bird Tours Fridays and Saturdays, 10 AM - 2 PM. No experience is necessary and binoculars are available for loan. Come see whooping cranes and other birds, and maybe even our nesting pair of bald eagles! 
Aransas National Wildlife Refuge is open daily from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. The Visitor Contact Station is open daily, 9 AM-4 PM. Come hike a trail, fish off the pier or from your kayak, or drive the 16 mile auto tour. FMI, call 361-349-1181 or visit www.facebook.com/AransasNWR or www.fws.gov/refuge/aransas/ .
(Voted the #1 birding spot and # 5 National Wildlife Refuge in the USA for USA TODAY Readers' Choice)
 
Bingo
Come enjoy a fun time playing Bingo! Bingo can be played on Wednesday and Friday at 7 PM at the Rockport American GI Forum-  1911 Hardee St. Rockport . FMI: 361-729-7144

Cards
Every Monday and Friday, 12-4 PM - Play Canasta or Party Bridge at the Woman's Club of Aransas County |  1104 E. Concho, Rockport . (Across from the Chamber of Commerce near the Rockport Harbor) Members $4 | Non-members $5. FMI: 361-557-1150 or visit our  website
Connect With Us
This is a publication put together by the Rockport-Fulton Chamber of Commerce.
800-242-0071 I Rockport-Fulton.org I #VisitRockportFulton