Last weekend, my column on tourism was made possible by the information given to me by the great folks at the Park Board led by Executive Director Kelly de Shaun, Galveston’s top cheerleader. It got me thinking of other upcoming events that are great for tourists and residents alike and make our corner of paradise a great place to live. There are so many. Such as the 20th anniversary of the Grand Kids Festival on April 11, the Chicken Shack Strut and the Galveston Island Beach Revue.
As a realtor I wouldn’t normally want to promote a shack, I hope you go and visit a whole series of shacks — chicken shacks that is, originally scheduled for today, it has been rescheduled for Oct. 10. More info at the Kitchen Chick, www.thekitchenchick.com/chicken-shackstrut. Back for the third year in a row this fun event is a self-guided tour of chicken coops of Galveston Island. I’ve been a past sponsor of the Chicken Shack Strut because it’s a quirky and unique event that encourages people to get out and discover the different neighborhoods on the island. Some of the shacks are small and others are chicken mansions but no matter the size, all are home to happy chickens and this tour is always a good time. Many of the hosts provide refreshments and crafts in addition to opening their coops for viewing.
The event is the brainchild of Alicia Cahill who runs the Kitchen Chick shop in downtown Galveston. She’s something of a one-woman tourism board as her shop brings people into Galveston with its specialty products and its regular events such as cooking classes. he classes are held at her shop on 23rd Street and are intimate so that people experience a better chance to learn the techniques being taught by the various cooking experts she lines up. Alicia’s been featured on tourism TV talking about what makes this island great, and she gets involved in other people’s events as an MC or cook-of competitor.
Galveston is lucky to have business people like Alicia — people who not only create a business but also create fun events that make our island a fun and funky place to be. here’s a lock of others who are as creative as Alicia, and for this Easter I want to highlight her egg-ceptional contribution.
Another group I’m proud to be involved with are the Islander By Choice folks. hey hold events and promote the island throughout the year. Up next for them is he Beach Revue on May 15 and 16. It is the official kickoff to summer. he organizers are always coming up with new ways to keep the event fresh and fun. Curvy models are always a highlight of the Revue, but this year a different kind of body work is also going to be on display, “The Tom Schwenk, Realtor Hot Rod, Classic Car and Vintage Trailer Show”. Catchy name, huh?
Admission is free so make sure you come along and see what will no doubt be quite the collection of classic cars, hot rods and vintage trailers. here will be awards for the top three cars, best paint, farthest distance traveled, best interior and best vintage trailer and one for my favorite. More info at www.IBCgalveston.com or stop by Nautical Antiques at the corner of 22nd and Mechanic.
There are a lot of fun things happening throughout the island and it is a great time to be looking for a new home, second home or even investment properties. A member of the Galveston Association of Realtors® will be glad to help you.
Some more reasons why those of us lucky enough to live by the sea are lucky enough!
Originally printed in the Galveston Daily News – Galveston, Texas