Look for ‘super heroes’ at Texas City’s annual Funfest May 20-21
Given the popularity of super heroes, the Funfest “Super Hero” Run by the Bay 5K and 10K Run and “Kids k” run/walk may surpass last year’s nearly 600 participants in the Texas City event.
The run will begin at 7 a.m. Saturday, May 21, at Bay Street Park in Texas City at the entrance to the Texas City Dike. The runs are certified/sanctioned events. The first 400 participants are guaranteed a T-shirt with their entry, said Lorrie Koster, the Texas City-La Marque Chamber of Commerce’s run organizer.
“We do have a good turnout for the run,” she said. A lot of people plan their outfits a year in advance,” she added.
The run will feature vendor booths and Koster added that Whataburger will bring its “Whataguy” super hero and have treats for all.
People can register for the run at https://register. chronotrack.com/reg/ form?eventID=18872, visit www.texascitychamber. com or call the chamber office at 409-935-1408.
But for folks who aren’t runners, the approximately 30-year-old celebration of summer offers a concert by the Blues Brothers, a barbecue cookoff and a car show, among other activities. For the second consecutive year, the May 20-21 event will be at the Mall of the Mainland, 10000 E.F. Lowry Expressway, Texas City. Koster said festival organizers moved to the mall last year after rain disrupted plans to use the Carlos Garza Sports Complex.
“There’s no mud or ants,” said Koster. “It’s all good. Lots of pavement. Everything is outside. Free admission and free parking.”
Koster said the event started out as a Mainland Spring Fest and then evolved into the Funfest featuring different events through the years like rugby, tennis and soccer.
The Blues Brothers have performed in Nessler Park in Texas City and Koster said, ‘They are very, very popular.”
The Blues Brothers will take the stage at 7 p.m. Friday, May 20, at the mall and play until 10 p.m. Mike Powell and Steve Boado re-create the characters in the 1981 movie in the original Belushi/Aykroyd style both in sight and sound.
“Come out, join us Friday night for the entertainment,” said Koster, “and Saturday for everything else. We’re going to have a good time. Hopefully the rain will stay away. There’s always a little bit for the event, kind of scares us,
but it always works out. I hope everyone comes out and enjoys themselves.”
About 100 teams are expected to compete for cash prizes in the festival’s twoday barbecue cookoff.
No registration is necessary though for the car show run by Kevin Koster, Lorrie’s son.
The show will spotlight categories of cars, trucks and jeeps with awards going to the best custom, classic, hot rod, stock, import, muscle and overall from 1-6 p.m. Saturday. Judging and awards will be at 5 p.m. Saturday. Contact 408-588-6642 or 408835-1048 for details.
All-day wristbands can be purchased for the children’s activities, said Lorrie Koster, that include a train ride, moon walks and face painting. And people can check out a new feature this year, the Stuttgarden Tavern Texas City craft beer booth as well as visit the arts and crafts and food booths.
The chamber uses proceeds for economic development, she said.
Pasadena
The 43rd annual Pasadena Strawberry Festival will be May 20-22 at the Pasadena Fairgrounds, 7603 Red Bluff Road, featuring the world’s largest strawberry shortcake, mud volleyball, a carnival, vendors and competition among bands and singers.
Hours are 3 p.m.midnight Friday, 10 a.m.midnight Saturday and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday.
General admission tickets are $15. Children up to age 4 are admitted free. Tickets for ages 5-12 and 55 and older are $5. A weekend pass is $30.
Mud Volleyball begins about 7:30 a.m. Saturday and plays until about 6 p.m. as 160 teams of 10 compete for bragging rights to be the No. 1 team in Texas.
Preliminary competition will be on Saturday, too, for the Battle of the Bands, an “American Idol” style singing competition, the fastest drum roll and the longest “ahh.” Contestants in the categories of 17 and older and 16 and younger will compete in Sunday finals.
The festival uses proceeds for scholarships for high school and college students, Rotary Clubs, the San Jacinto Museum and Monument and other nonprofits.
Visit www.strawberryfest.org for information.
Galveston
The Galveston Arts Center will present two solo exhibitions by Texas artists—“Vital Signs,” by Margaret SmithersCrump and “The Habit of Being II,” by Mari Omori—now through May 22 at 2127 Strand St.
Visit www.galvestonartscenter.org for more information. Pasadena
San Jacinto College will host the Houston Spanish & Flamenco Festival, featuring dancing, guitar playing, percussion and singing May 26-28 at the Central Campus Dr. Monte Blue Music Building, 8060 Spencer Highway in Pasadena
The festival’s culminating performance “Caminos Flamencos” will begin at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 28, at the Central Campus music building.
The show will feature Emmy Award-winning dancer and artistic director Yaelisa, virtuoso guitarist Jason McGuire “El Rubio,” and acclaimed flamenco artists Jose Cortes (singer), Fanny Ara (dancer), and Marlon Aldana (percussionist).
The festival was founded in 2011 by flamenco artists Irma La Paloma and San Jacinto College music professor Jeremy Garcia.
The event is a nonprofit collaboration coordinated by Houston’s Solero Flamenco, San Jacinto College, the Consulate General of Spain in Houston and the National Endowment for the Arts.
“We firmly believe in the worth and relevance of this nonprofit effort,” said La Paloma. “Through exposure, interaction and cultural exchange, we can responsibly educate and celebrate these arts, which are a part of our Texas heritage.”
Visit hsffestival.com for details.