- Celebrate the shrimp at a Texas festival.shrimp image by cherie from Fotolia.com
Texas is one of the country's largest shrimp producers, just behind Alaska and Louisiana, according to the Texas Department of Agriculture. Brown, white and pink shrimp varieties flourish in the Gulf of Mexico and make up the majority of Texas' annual shrimp catch. The shrimping industry is the most important commercial fishing industry in the state, according to the Handbook of Texas Online. Several annual festivals across the state celebrate this important--and very tasty--natural resource. - For more than 60 years, Aransas Pass has held the Shrimporee shrimp festival, which is the largest shrimp festival in Texas, according to the website. The three-day event features musical performances, live entertainment, the Miss Shrimporee Pageant, the Men's Sexy Leg Contest, the Great Outhouse Race, carnival rides, children's activities and, of course, lots of food.
Aransas Pass Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center
130 W. Goodnight
Aransas Pass, TX 78336
361-758-2750
aransaspass.org - The annual Galveston Island Wild Texas Shrimp Fest takes place over three days each fall. Festivities include a 5k run/walk to benefit local charities, the Li'l Shrimps parade, a children's area, a costumed bicycle parade, live music and art exhibits featuring Texas artists. Food events include a gumbo stroll through various local restaurants, all of which fill your cup with gumbo; a gumbo cook-off; a wine tasting featuring locally-produced wines; and refreshments at the Southern Comfort Lounge.
City of Galveston
2517 Avenue H, Ste. 207
Galveston, TX 77550
409-797-3870
galveston.com - Houston's Traders Village hosts the annual Bayou City Shrimp Festival in the fall. The two-day festival features live musical performances, cold beers and jumbo shrimp. Enjoy your shrimp in "Gump-like" style as, according to the Trader Village website, "boiled shrimp, grilled shrimp, fried shrimp, shrimp gumbo, shrimp poboys" are served from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is free.
Traders Village
7979 N. Eldridge
Houston, TX 77041
281-890-5500
tradersvillage.com - San Antonio hosts the annual Texas Shrimp Festival. The festival is sponsored by the Oak Hills Rotary Club of San Antonio and proceeds are donated to charities. According to the website, the festival is "a family friendly event with something for everyone." Taste shrimp dishes from more than 25 vendors, watch bull-riding demonstrations, listen to live musical performances and browse the arts and crafts show. Children's activities and carnival rides round out the festivities.
Oak Hills Rotary Club
12210 Leslie Road
Helotes, TX 78023
210-258-5999
ovayonda.org
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