Spring in Galveston: Island offers an array of activities
Visitors can choose among numerous spring festivals and events to shake off the winter doldrums in Galveston.
There are activities at Galveston Island State Park, with concerts such as Jerry Jeff Walker, St. Vincent Benefit Concert and Galveston Symphony Orchestra as well as events like the Galveston Causeway FunD Run/Walk and Galveston Island Art Walk.
Tall Ships Galveston will be on the island for the first time ever, and is the first stop of the tour in the Gulf of Mexico series, set for April 5-8. The event offers sail-away excursions, music, food and a “parade of sail,” according to Will Wright, director of communications and special events for the Galveston Historical Foundation. The event will feature five ships from all over the world, including the Elissa. For information, visit www.galvestonhistory.org/events/ tall-ships-galveston-2.
“Having this here is pretty special,” Wright said. “People who love ships will be right at home. You can pay to go sail and tour the ship. We’re excited for it.”
Families are invited to attend the 23rd annual Grand Kids Festival on April 7, a free event in the downtown Cultural Arts District. This festival is recognized as one of the Gulf Coast region’s premier family spring events designed to introduce children and families to the arts.
New entertainment in 2018 includes performance group, Kupira Marimba, Hide Out Theatre, acrobatic team, Donovan and Rebecca, Kurt Gillins Steel Drum Group, Andyroo and the Andyrooniverse and Story Teller, Sue Kentz. Other attractions include inflatables, pony rides and more than 40 activity booths. More details are at www.grandkidsfestival.com. Also in April, visitors can enjoy the Galveston FeatherFest, the Third Coast Music Festival and the Galveston Island Wine Festival.
Triathlon enthusiasts can get their fitness fix at Ironman 70.3, which is in its eighth year, on April 8 at Moody Gardens.
“We are pleased to be a versatile and conducive venue for events like Ironman,” said Ashley Tompkins, public relations coordinator at Moody Gardens. “We have a flat area for running, racers can enter the water, transition in the race and exit the water all on Moody Gardens property. We also have the start and finish line here, which makes for great spectator viewing.”
For further details, visit www.ironman.com.