October 2019 Events & Attractions
Shopping Tournament

When: October 5
Shop Til you Drop in this Zany fundraiser hosted by the Aransas County ISD Education Foundation and the Rockport Cultural Arts District. Form your team of shoppers, dress up in costumes (encouraged), and compete for prizes as you shop at participating Rockport-Fulton stores. Stores offer great discounts, refreshments, prizes and more!
Sea-A-Bration Hollywood Glam Night

When: October 9
6-9 PM, A pre-event party of the 45th annual Rockport-Fulton Seafair. It will feature a theme of Hollywood stars we all remember and love. Join in the fun as the paparazzi catches photos of you as you arrive in your glamour and glitz, be greeted with your very own fun feather and bling bling. Enjoy a delicious meal prepared and served especially for you. Have fun with a Big Board and Silent Auction featuring an array of items from the area and beyond. All proceeds will go toward community betterment.
45th Seafair Celebration

When: October 10-13
The 45th Annual Seafair Festival, is back for four days of family-friendly festival fun on October 10, 11, 12 and 13, 2019. Make plans to sip, dine and dance your way through a festival of seaside entertainment. With a variety of contests such as Just Desserts and the ever popular Gumbo Cookoff, there is surely something for everyone. Don't forget to join the locals for the exciting Seafair Parade on Saturday morning. You can head out to the festival grounds for delicious festival food and so much more! Help us remember the year and tag us on social media! #RFSeafair
Fulton Food Truck Fall Festival

When: October 26
1st Annual Fulton Food Truck Festival: Family Fun Event! Featuring Costume Parade, Costume Contest, Food, Games, Music, Pumpkin Carving & Painting Contest, Trunk or Treat and So Much More! All on Fulton Beach Road from Palmetto Avenue to Cactus Street!
Rockport Film Festival

When: October 31-November 3
The Rockport Film Festival is always the first weekend in November, when Texas days are still warm but Texas nights are cool. It all kicks off with a Red Carpet Event the Thursday before the festival, and films screen all day Friday and Saturday.
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
Breakfast with Butterflies and Volunteer Workday
October 5- 8am-12pm, Have breakfast in the pollinator's garden-pavilion at Linda Castro Birding Sanctuary while learning about pollinators with master naturalist and master gardener, Neli Spurrell and

Rockport-Fulton Market Days
October 18-20: Over 120 booths filled with great vendors, over a dozen food vendors, 3 days of live music, covered seating and as always, a pet friendly environment! EVERY 3RD FULL WEEKEND OF EVERY MONTH. Open Friday with select vendors and early bird specials from 12-5, Saturday from 9-5 and Sunday from 10-4. Come join the fun and add your energy to our recovery!!! FMI, follow Rockport-Fulton Market Days on  Facebook  |  Website  | 361-463-0125.

City of Rockport
October 25- 2-6 pm, TREE GIVEAWAY at Rockport Festival Grounds. The Arbor Day Foundation, USAA and Texas A&M Forest Service, in cooperation with the City of Rockport’s Parks Department, will be giving away 750 tree saplings to Aransas County residents on Friday, October 25 from 2 – 6 pm (or until all trees are given out) at the Rockport Festival Grounds, located at Business 35 and Laurel Street. Among the offerings will be a variety of oak trees, crape myrtle, bald cypress and more. For more event details please call 361-727-2158

Fulton Mansion State Historic Site
October 11- 12 pm, Bring your lunch and enjoy the second speaker for our annual Fall Lecture Series, Dr. Amy Earhart, Associate Professor of English at Texas A&M University – College Station. She will discuss new digital resources which help us better understand history and genealogy. Admission is FREE!
PLEASE NOTE : The Fulton Mansion is currently closed for repairs due to damage from Hurricane Harvey. The Education and History Center will remain OPEN and FREE to the public Tuesday-Saturday 10 am-4 pm and Sunday 1-4 pm. 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
October 9- Homeschool Days, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM (grades 1-4) and 1:00-3:00 PM (grades 5-8). The title is Ships of Revolution: The Texas Navy. We will be discussing the ships and people of the Texas Navy and its role in the Texas Revolution. We will also have a lesson, craft, and activity. The cost is $8 per child. Registration can be completed at the Texas Maritime Museum office or online .
October 26- Halloween Haunt, 10:00 AM-12:00 PM. For this event, children will receive a message and get to go on a candy scavenger hunt, solving clues and earning treats along the way. Following the clues will lead visitors to our Chamber of Mysteries for some spooky games and crafts. The event is free, but limited to children under 13 with an accompanying parent. FMI, please contact Aaron Martin at 361-729-1271.
Texas Maritime Museum is open Tuesday-Saturday 10 AM-4 PM and Sunday 1-4 PM. For membership, volunteer information, and other activities: call 361-729-1271 or visit  texasmaritimemuseum.org

Rockport Center for the Arts 
October 1-12: Rockport Center for the Arts exhibit featuring new, sculptural works by Greg Reuter; who lives and works in Corpus Christi, Texas. In Fundamental Facets , Reuter returns to his roots in ceramics and coastal subject matter. Reuter’s work is an homage to every facet of living in South Texas. On display until October 12.
October 19- Opening Reception & Gallery Talk, October 19, 4-7PM. Exhibition "Caryl Gaubatz & Anne Katrosh: The Personal & the Global". Two artists who interweave narrative and high craft to make unconventional and functional art about their life experiences and relationships to the planet. Show runs through November 23.
October 19- Rockport Art Loop, 4-7 pm, 10 art spaces have simultaneous openings in one night for an all fresco art experience.
October Saturdays -10 AM to 4 PM every Saturday. 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  106 S. Austin  in Rockport.
Hours of operation Mon -Sat - 10 AM-4 PM | FMI 361-729-5519 or visit  rockportartcenter.com   

The History Center for Aransas County
Open from October-November 17: Key Allegro : A Vision of Growth. Programs are Sundays at 2 pm
October 6- 2 PM talk on "Island Art" to complement the Key Allegro Exhibit.
October 20- 2 PM talk on the "Economic Impact of Key Allegro on Aransas County"
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
October 15- 12-1 pm, October Brown Bag and Plant Sale: “Honey I Shrank the Lawn” Presented by Master Gardeners, Pam Larson, Chris Carpenter McLester and Ann Smith. Learn about what you can do with your yard besides grass, such as flowers, native shrubs, farm animals, patios and more. The Master Gardeners host a Pop-Up Plant Sale, immediately following the Brown Bag, 1-2 pm. FMI call (361) 790-0103 | Location: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, 892 Airport Dr., Rockport
October 26- 10 am-12 pm: “Fall into the Garden” – Open House. Aransas/San Patricio County Master Gardener - Gardens Open House, come meet your local Master Gardeners as you prepare for Fall. Free admission, garden demonstrations at 10:15 a.m. and then on the quarter-hour, free refreshments, tour the gardens, plant giveaways at 10:30/11:00/11:30 am (must be present to win), families welcome, activities for all ages, Kids - Visit the 4-H Information table. FMI call (361) 790-0103 | Location: Coastal Oaks Garden located at 892 Airport Road, Rockport, Texas
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
Oct 5 - 8am - Noon - Have Breakfast in the Pollinator's Garden - pavillion at Linda S. Castro Learn about pollinator's while volunteering in the garden for as long as you want. 4401 TX 35 Business, Fulton, TX. Bring garden tools and closed toed shoes. FMI 210-639-2340 or pio@aransascounty.org
Discover your Pathway! Hiking-Biking-Kayaking-History and Birding. Attractions and Nature trails throughout Aransas County. Visit:  www.aransaspathways.com  | 361-729-6445


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!
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
October 12- Doggy Dunk
October 31 - Trick-or-Treat
Lifeguarding class and Junior Lifeguarding class
Water aerobic classes: 5pm water aerobic medium intensity, Aqua Strength 9 AM, Aqua kickboxing 10 AM
Pool Hours: Monday-Closed | Tuesday & Friday 9-5 | Wed, Thur & Sat 9-6 | Sunday 12-5
The pool and park are now open at 9AM (Tues-Sat). 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 
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, picnic area, and West Bayfront are available for day use. There is no Bayfront camping at this time and the fishing pier and East Bayfront remain closed. Park operating hours are 8 AM-10 PM.
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
October 19 - Refuge Celebration Day, 9 am - 3 pm. FREE fun for the whole family. Activities include fishing, archery and BB gun shooting, crafts and games, kayaking, junior wildland firefighter events, face painting, casting and fly fishing practice, and more! Meet some of the fish and other critters that live in our local bays and wetlands or try your hand at nature sketching.
Aransas National Wildlife Refuge is open daily from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. Beginning October 15, 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