Turtle Days - Lighting of the Tiki Torches  
Start Date: 05/16/2008
The turtles are returning to SPI to nest and that means it's time to
get ready for the second annual Lighting of the Tiki Torches
Flotilla,  at just before sunset. The
reigning King and Queen Sargassum, along with their court of local
kayakers, will paddle the entire length of the island, lighting tiki
torches all along the bay. Upon arriving at Palm Street Pier, they
will be greeted by drummers, hula dancers, and a
special performance by the Bongodogs. This is a perfect excuse to
break out the Hawaiian shirts and grass skirts and get ready for
summer!

Kayakers: Meet at Ted's Landing at 5:30 if you are up for the whole
trail, or join in at any point along the way. A trailer provided by
The Beach Service will help you get your kayak back up to Ted's after the ceremony.

Bayside residents: Place your (unlit) Tiki Torch in the bay and the
King and Queen of Sargassum will light it from the ceremonial torch.
Contact organizer Nancy Marsden to get your location on the Tiki
Trail Map.

Everybody Else: Walk to the nearest by access point to cheer on the
flotilla and pay homage to King & Queen Sargassum! Then head over to Palm Street Pier to participate in the festivities.

At 7:45 the sunset ceremony begins,
culminating in "the calling of the turtles" (on a conch shell, of
course!) as the island officially welcomes nesting sea turtles and
the beginning of summer. Following the ceremony, the Saturn Street
Strummers will break out their ukes as warmup for the ever-popular
Bongodogs and their unique blend of Texmex Puro Caliche Island music.
Vacation in Padre Rentals & Real Estate
5009 Padre Blvd. Suite 2&3
South Padre Island, Texas 78597
(956)761-RENT     1-866-657-RENT (7368)
South Padre Island
Events 2008
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
MARCH
DECEMBER
JUNE
MAY
JANUARY
APRIL
FEBRUARY
SEPTEMBER
JULY
AUGUST
10th Annual SPI Polar Bear Dip  
Start Date: 01/01/2008
Organization: Whiting Street Polar Bear Club
Location: Beach behind Boomerang Billy's Beach
Bar/Surf Motel, 2612 Gulf Blvd.
Time: Noon
Description: 10 a.m. registration. Registration ends at 11:45 a.m. and resumes after the event. Dip at Noon! First 50 to register receive tickets for pre-swim
beverage, bowl of black-eyed peas and champagne toast. Registration free. T-shirts will be on sale.

Admission: FREE
Phone: (956) 761-6853
SPI Market Days  
Start Date: 01/06/2008
End Date:  01/08/2008
Location: South Padre Island Convention Centre

Description: Arts, crafts, jewelry, trade show items, and specialty foods.

Admission: $1 at the door
Phone: (800) 767-2373
Registration for SPI Winter Texan Golf Classic  
Start Date: 01/15/2008
Organization: SPI Women's Golf Assoc.
Location: SPI Convention Centre
Time: 8 AM CST

Description: First come, first serve to register your foursome for this popular tournament. Foursomes will play either Jan 21 or Jan. 22. Doors open at 8AM,
7355 Padre Blvd.

Phone: (800) 767-2373
Longest Causeway Run & Wellness Walk  
Start Date: 01/12/2008
Organization: Port Isabel Chamber of Commerce
Location: Queen Isabella Causeway

Description: Hundreds of runners and walkers join in for a view from the Queen Isabella Memorial Causeway! www.portisabel.org

Phone: (956) 943-2262
PI Taste of The Island  
Start Date: 01/27/2008
Organization: SPI Chamber of Commerce
Location: South Padre Island Convention Centre
Time: 2 PM to 5 PM

Description: Restaurants provide "tastes" of their cuisine, trade booths provide info or sell merchandise

Admission: $12
Phone: (956) 761-4412
SPI Winter Texan Golf Classic  
Start Date: 01/21/2008
End Date:  01/22/2008
Organization: SPI Women’s Golf Assoc.
Location: South Padre Island Golf Course

Description: Register Jan.14 at SPI Convention Centre for this popular event! Raffles, mulligans, and tons of fun in the sun! For details call 800-SOPADRE

Phone: (800) 767-2373
SPI Market Days  
Start Date: 02/15/2008
End Date:  02/17/2008
Location: South Padre Island Convention Centre

Description: Arts, crafts, jewelry, trade show items and specialty foods. Ages 16 and under free.

Admission: $1 at the door
Phone: (956) 761-6746
SPI Kitefest  
Start Date: 02/02/2008
End Date:  02/03/2008
Location: North of SPI Convention Centre

Description: Kite enthusiasts from around the country will descend on South Padre Island for the 8th annual fun fly for the kid in you!

Price: Free
Phone: (956) 761-1248
Winter Texan Snowbird Extravaganza  
Start Date: 02/05/2008
End Date:  02/06/2008
Location: South Padre Island Convention Centre

Description: Senior citizen lifestyle expo with entertainment,
exhibits, & seminars

Price: Free
Phone: (800) 657-2373
Winter Texan Adopt-A-Beach Clean Up  
Start Date: 02/15/2008
Organization: Texas General Land Office
Location: County Access 5, Edward Atwood King Park
Time: 9:00 AM

Description:  Registration 8-8:45, bags & gloves supplied

Phone: (956) 761-6433
Texas Week / Spring Break SPI  
Start Date: 03/10/2008
End Date:  03/15/2008
Location: South Padre Island

Description: The majority of Texas schools are out this week and students descend on SPI for fun in the sun!

Phone: (866) 657-7368 FOR RESERVATIONS
Heat Wave Car & Audio Show  
Start Date: 03/01/2008
End Date:  03/02/2008
Spring Break Audio Show at Convention Centre.
KOA World's Largest Surf Fishing Tournament  
Start Date: 02/09/2008
KOA World's Largest Surf Fishing Tournament.

For information, call (956) 371-4099 or 1-800-562-9724.
SPI SPLASH  
Start Date: 04/16/2008
End Date:  04/20/2008
Description: SPI Splash brings over 2000 visitors to our Island each year. Call 956-761-7368 for event information.

Phone: (956_761-7368 For Reservations.
41st Annual Texas State Surfing Championship  
Start Date: 04/19/2008
End Date:  04/20/2008
Location: Isla Blanca Park (Jetties)

Description: The 42nd Annual Texas State Surfing Championship is slated for April 26-27 -- adequate surf conditions permitting.
RGV Chili, Chili Verde, & Salsa Cook-off  
Start Date: 05/03/2008
Description: ICS Sanctioned Event
www.chilicookoffspi.com

Phone: (956) 434-9164  
Windsurf Blowout  
Start Date: 05/03/2008
End Date:  05/04/2008
Organization: SPI Windsurfing Assoc.
Location: Flats- north of Convention Centre
Time: 10AM

Description: Annual windsurf competition for recreational sailors. Registration Friday night. Course runs on Saturday and Long Distance on Sunday!
Group dinner Sat. night.
Phone: (956) 767-2373
Pedal To Padre  
Start Date: 05/03/2008
Organization: River Rockets Adventure Club
Location: Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark
Time: 7:30

Description: Pedal with the River Rockets Adventure Club on a bicycle tour to South Padre Island and Schlitterbahn Beach Waterpark. Park discounts will
be available to participants. Call 956-541-9712 to register or check www.riverrockets.com.

Admission: $20.00
Phone: (956) 541-9712
Memorial Day Fireworks  
Start Date: 05/24/2008
Organization: South Padre Island Convention & Visitors Bureau
Location: Between Marlin & Red Snapper St. on Laguna Madre Bay
Time: 9:15 pm

Description: Annual Summer Weekend Fireworks tradition kicks off. Fireworks every Friday between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

Phone: (956) 761-6433

SPI Beach Volleyball Tournament  
Start Date: 05/24/2008
End Date:  05/25/2008
Organization: SPI Volleyball
Location: Boomerang Billy’s at Surf Motel
Time: 9AM

Description: Annual Men’s, Women’s, and Co-Ed Competition on the beach!
Phone: (956) 761-2420
Fourth of July Fireworks  
Start Date: 07/04/2008
Organization: South Padre Island Convention & Visitors Bureau
Location: Bayside between Marlin and Red Snapper Streets
Time: 9:15 PM

Description: Annual fireworks display celebrating the birth of our nation

Phone: (956) 761-6433
Beachcombers Art Show  
Start Date: 07/26/2008
End Date:  07/27/2008
Organization: Harlingen Art Forum
Location: Convention Centre

Description: www.harlingenartforum.com

Phone: (956) 761-3000
NCAA Division 1 Volleyball  
Start Date: 08/29/2008
End Date:  08/31/2008
Location: South Padre Island Convention Centre
Texas International Fishing Tournament  
Start Date: 08/03/2008
End Date:  08/05/2008
Organization: TIFT.Org
Location: Register/SPI Convention Centre

Description: Largest bay and deep sea fishing tournament in Texas! South Padre Island and Port Isabel waters. 70th year. 1,200 competitors.
956-943-TIFT. www.tift.org

Phone: (956) 943-8438

Ladies Kingfish Tournament (LKT)  
Start Date: 08/08/2008
End Date:  08/10/2008
Organization: SPI Chamber of Commerce
Location: Register SPI Convention Centre

Description: 27th year. 250+ competitors. Bay and Offshore Divisions. www.spichamber.com

Phone: (956) 761-4412
USA Surf 'n' Turf Adventure Race  
Start Date: 08/23/2008
End Date:  08/24/2008
USA Surf ‘n’ Turf Adventure Race. Hosted by Unlimited Sports Adventures. Paddle, run, swim, bike and play! Convention Centre. Two-person teams
compete. Packet pick-up/registration at Dorado’s Baja Bar and Grill Saturday 6-9 p.m. Accepting first 100 teams to register.
For more information, go to www.unlimitedsportsadventures.com, or call Meri Heggie (956) 451-1500.  
Labor Day Weekend Fireworks Over the Bay
Start Date: 08/30/2008
Organization: South Padre Island Convention & Visitors Bureau
Location: Bayside between Marlin and Red Snapper St.
Time: 9:15 PM

Description: Celebrate with a Bang!

Phone: (956) 761-6433
SPI Beach Volleyball / Labor Day Tournament  
Start Date: 08/30/2008
End Date:  08/31/2008
Location: Boomerang Billy’s Beach at Surf Motel

Description: Two-person open, men’s & women’s division, and  co-ed division. Cash awards! Contact Erin.

Phone: 956) 761-2420
SPI Beach Bash Volleyball Tournament  
Start Date: 08/22/2008
End Date:  08/23/2008
South Padre Island Beach Bash Volleyball Tournament, hosted by The University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College. Eight volleyball
teams representing NAIA universities from the Midwest, Texas and Mexico, wlll be participating. For more information, visit http://athletics.utb.edu or call
(956) 882-8911.
Ruffrider Regatta  
Start Date: 09/06/2008
End Date:  09/07/2008
Location: Sand Flats North of the Convention Centre
Time: 10 AM

Description: Annual race for catamarans! Friday 5-8pm registration at Louie's Backyard. Sat. (Race Day) Skipper's Meeting on the Flats at 10 AM.
www.ruffrider.net

20th Texas General Land Office Adopt-A-Beach Fall Cleanup  
Start Date: 09/20/2008
Organization: Texas General Land Office
Location: Cameron County Beaches. Call for details.
Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Description: 23rd annual fall cleanup rain or shine! Volunteers can register at check-in sites from 8:30 a.m.-9 a.m.   gloves, pencils and trash bags
furnished.     www.texasadoptabeach.org

Phone: 1-877-TXCOAST
Walk For Women
Start Date: 09/28/2008
Location: South Padre Island Convention Centre
Time: 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Description: Support the fight against breast cancer and walk! Registration at 10 a.m.

Phone: (956) 761-4231
SPI Kids Pedal-N-Dash Duathlon  
Start Date: 09/21/2008
End Date:  09/21/2008
Organization: Unlimited Sports Adventures
Location: Sheraton Beach Hotel
Time: 9:00 am

Description: Race  begins with a run (along the beach), followed by a bike ride (Isla Blanca), and then finishes with another run (along the beach).  Open
to children of various ages  Free hotdogs for kids. $15 reg  unlimitedsportsadventures.com

Phone: (956) 451-1500  
South Padre Island SPLASH  
Start Date: 10/03/2008
End Date:  10/05/2008
5-7: SPI SPLASH. This alternative-lifestyle event draws more than 2,000 visitors annually. For Beach House or condo Reservation call (956) 761-7368
SPI Bikefest 2008  
Start Date: 10/09/2008
End Date:  10/12/2008
Location: South Padre Island Convention Centre

Description: 15 Anniversary Rally!!! Bikers from around the US will make a roar by the shore!   Concert at Schlitterbahn on Sat. Reg. Rally Package is
$45 includes armband, pin, souvenir dog tag and concert ticket. Mexico Fiesta Run tickets are available for $15. www.spibikefest.com

Phone: (956) 668-7484
Sandcastle Days  
Start Date: 10/16/2008
End Date:  10/19/2008
Organization: Sandcastle Days, Inc.
Location: Sheraton Beach Hotel

Description:  International Sand Sculpture Competition. Masters of The Future FREE Sandcastle lessons Oct. 11-18 Amateur competition for all ages and
groups on Saturday!

Art & Craft Venders  see www.sandcastledays.com for details.
Admission: FREE
Phone: (956) 761-3000
SPI Triathlon and Kids Beach Ball Triathlon  
Start Date: 10/11/2008
End Date:  10/13/2008
Organization: Roger Soler's Sports & SPI CVB
Location: Start/Finish Louie's Backyard;  
Time: check-in 6:30 a.m.

Description: Adult event: 800-meter bay swim, 14-mile bike and 5k on/off road run; Kids Beach Ball Triathlon: (approx.) 100-meter swim; 3-mile on-road
bike and on-road run. For more information, go to www.rogersoler.com

Phone: (210) 695-6430
Women’s Tip of Texas Golf Classic  
Start Date: 10/25/2008
End Date:  10/26/2008
Location: South Padre Island Golf Course

Description: A weekend of golfing and dining sponsored by SPI Women's Golf Association
Phone: (956) 533-0708
USA SPI Individual Half-marathon, 4-person Relay, One-mile Kids Run  
Start Date: 10/11/2008
USA SPI Individual Half-marathon, 4-person Relay, One-mile Kids Run. Hosted by Unlimited Sports Adventures. Packet pickup/registration 4-8 p.m. Friday
at Louie's Backyard. 7:30 a.m. start/finish at Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort.

For more information, go to:
www.unlimitedsportsadventures.com, or call Meri Heggie (956) 451-1500.   
SPI International Music Festival  
Start Date: 10/31/2008
End Date:  11/02/2008
2nd Annual SPI International Music Festival. A great variety of entertainment at venues all over the Island! The event begins Friday, Oct 31 and runs
through Sunday, Nov.2.

www.spimusicfest.com
World Championship Shrimp Cook-off  
Start Date: 11/02/2008
Organization: Port Isabel Chamber Of Commerce
Location: Port Isabel old Wal-Mart parking lot

Description: Local teams cook for the masses www.portisabel.org

Phone: (956) 943-2262
2nd Annual Women’s Festival  
Start Date: 11/07/2008
End Date:  11/09/2008
Organization: Upper Deck
Location: Various

Description: Variety of events

Phone: (956) 761-5953
SPI Kite Festival  
Start Date: 11/01/2008
End Date:  11/02/2008
12th Annual SPI Kite Competition. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. both days at the flats north of the SPI Convention Centre. The non-profit event is free and sanctioned
by the American Kiteflyers Association. For more information, call (956) 761-7028, or e-mail Guy Blatnik at guyblatnik@kiteshop.com
Lighting of the Island  
Start Date: 11/28/2008
Organization: SPI Convention & Visitors Bureau
Location: SPI Visitors Center, 600 Padre Blvd.
Time: 6 PM

Description: Join Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus for the official lighting of the Island, refreshments and Christmas carols.

Admission: FREE
Phone: (800) 657-2373
SPI Invitational Division I Basketball Tournament  
Start Date: 11/28/2008
End Date:  11/29/2008
Organization: SPI CVB

Location: South Padre Island Convention Centre

Description: NCAA Div. I Basketball teams from around the nation hoop it up on South Padre. For more information, call 1-888-SPI-TKTS (774-8587)

Phone: (888) 774-8587
Bicycle Beach Bash  
Start Date: 12/05/2008
End Date:  12/07/2008
Organization: Unlimited Sports Adventures
Location: TBA
Time: 8:30 AM

Bicycle Beach Bash 8:30 a.m. at The Shores, 8605 Padre Blvd. This race is great for beginners. Three events: Time Trial (10K), Short Circuit Race, and
Road Race (30 miles). Cash prizes and awards. Packet pick-up & Registration at La Quinta Inn & Suites, 12/5/08. NO 'MORNING OF'
REGISTRATION...Sponsored by Unlimited Sports Adventures. For more information, go to www.unlimitedsportsadventures.com or call 956.451.1500

Phone: (956) 451-1500  
Christmas Lighted Boat Parade  
Start Date: 12/06/2008
Location: Port Isabel Chamber of Commerce

Description: Call Port Isabel Chamber for Details  
Phone: (956) 943-2262  
Annual SPI Christmas Parade-An Old-fashioned Christmas  
Start Date: 12/13/2008
End Date:  12/13/2008
20th Annual SPI Christmas Parade-An Old-fashion Christmas. Several pre-activities from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Schlitterbahn: 9-11 a.m. Breakfast with Santa,
free for children 10 and under and $2 for everyone over 10; photos with Santa, build sandcastles with Amazin’ Walter and Sandy Feet; Storytime with
Mrs. Claus; games, face painting; clowns, mimes, music; Santa’s work center- Write a letter to Santa; balloon art; and Chocolate Diva caramel apples.
Parade begins at 5 p.m. at Mesquite and Huisache and ending at Palm.For more information, call Mary Ann Small at (956) 761-7800 or Jacky Conrad at
(956) 772-1974.