Among the many attractions at the Texas Crab Festival each year is the renowned Gumbo Cookoff. This year’s popular event consisted of five teams competing for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place trophies as well as the People’s Choice award. The teams began filling the air with the gumbo aroma at 8 am on Saturday morning, enticing the growing crowds to linger for their bite of the goodness. By 11 am, festival folks
Community
TCF visitors gobble up the Gumbo
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Crab Fest Golf
Sunny skies and a calm breeze greeted the forty golfers on Saturday participating in the 2017 Texas Crab Festival Golf Tournament. Teams were selected by blind draw on Friday Night at the calcutta, hosted by Chris and Karen Gatlin at Tiki Beach Bar & Grill. With perfect conditions and a well-groomed course, low scores were anticipated. Tee off was at 8:00 with a shotgun start. As always, Gray Hays
TCF Banner Hunt
The 2017 Texas Crab Festival awareness is heating up. The Banner Selfie Hunt brought the TCF craze to social media and hashtags. The Texas Crab Festival FaceBook page and the hashtag #TexasCrabQuest were booming with excitement as page followers were on the hunt for the TCF banners all around the peninsula. They were challenged to find one of the six banners hanging outside and inside at various
Kids submit T-Shirt designs
In the fall of each year, the Texas Crab Festival holds a contest to select a design for the official festival t-shirt. Artists submit their entries and a winner is picked by judges. This year, the festival committee decided to hold a similar contest for school children and choose a design to be printed on kids-size t-shirts. Over a hundred entries were received from Crenshaw and High Island students. A panel of
A Ritzy and Roaring Good Time
Under blue skies and a gentle breeze on Saturday, the 27th Annual Lighthouse Krewe Mardi Gras Parade was underway in Crystal Beach. People started lining the highway several hours before the 11:30am start, waiting to hoot and holler and cheer on the parade. Nearly a hundred floats, vehicles, and fire trucks traveled down the highway with revelers all dolled up to the theme “Roaring 20’s and all that Jazz”,
Congratulations to T-Shirt Design Winner
Congratulations to Beaumont artist Mena Baldwin, Winner of the 2017 Texas Crab Festival T-Shirt Design Contest! Get your awesome new 2017 Crab Fest t-shirts for just $15 now at Maven’s Clothing. You can also get one at Gregory Park after the Mardi Gras Parade this Saturday, Feb. 25th, and at Latitude 29.2 Surf Shop (after Spring Break). And, of course, at the Crab Fest May 12-14. Look for the artists’
Braving the elements
By Linda Elissalde
Clouds, wind and fog cannot stay TCFC President Tom Osten and his intrepid wife, Texas Crab Festival Committee Chairperson Georgia Osten, from promoting our community’s TEXAS CRAB FESTIVAL. Georgia and Tom stood in front of The Big Store on a wintery Gulf Coast Saturday to display the 2017 Club Car Golf Cart to be given away at
Jane Long Spread in Ranch Land Magazine
By Brenda Beust Smith
Texas Land — Land Magazine has given Jane Long and the Jane Long Festival a fabulous four-page spread in its Winter 2016 issue. If you’re not familiar with this magazine, it’s filled with incredible photography of Texas ranch lands and other massive native habitat acreage sites for sale. It also includes wonderful stories of life on Texas
Texas Crab Festival Charities – Turning the Tide for a Brighter Future
Ever since a group of local friends, residents and business people came together to put on the first Texas Crab Festival in 1986, the Crab Fest has been all about community. Thanks to the continued efforts of local volunteers and sponsors, the annual Mother’s Day Weekend Crab Fest/Beach Party/Family Reunion has grown into a nationally known destination festival, attracting thousands
Jane Long Festival THANK YOU!
By Linda Elissalde,
All of the Jane Long Festivals have been outstanding. While is hard to get a group of people to agree on anything, everyone agreed that the 2016 Jane Long Festival was the best. Cannon fire, rifle shots, fireworks, a scavenger hunt, all types of vendors, food, musical numbers, bunker tours, children’s art contest and our play
The Jane Long legend lives on
Cannons booming, pirates brandishing swords, Indians lurking, boogie woogie dancers, Sam Houston, Mirabeau B. Lamar and Jean Laffite. You name it! We had it all at the 2016 Jane Long Festival last weekend. The Festival celebrates the courage and spirit of Jane Long and the residents of Bolivar Peninsula. The Festival is held on the grounds of Fort Travis Seashore Park, with the
The Ballad of Jane Long
Original music composed by Bruce Haire
Lyrics written by Linda C. Elissalde
Jane Long, Jane Long,
Pioneer Woman brave and true.
Yes, Jane Long was a lady
Who did what she had to do.
Maryland’s beloved daughter
In Mississippi she did start.
Brave beyond her young years
Jane followed her loving heart.
She ended up in Texas
And landed on our coast.
Her brave deeds are recorded;
So Texas can proudly boast.
Jane Long, Jane Long,
Pioneer Woman brave and true.
Yes, Jane Long was a lady
Who did what she had to do.
Jane Long was most lovely
And really very sweet.
She met with pirate Jean
And swept him off (pause) La Feet.
Left alone on Bolivar
After James rode off to do what’s right,
Jane survived, used her guile
And put up quite a fight.
Jane Long, Jane Long,
Pioneer Woman brave and true.
Yes, Jane Long was a lady
Who did what she had to do.
Jane and family lived
Through that cold winter of twenty-one.
Gave birth, fought off Indians.
That’s not all that was done.
Everyone remembers
Her red petticoat flag so fine.
Took it right off her body
And ran it up the line.
Jane Long, Jane Long,
Pioneer Woman brave and true.
Yes, Jane Long was a lady
Who did what she had to do.
Jane helped the Texans
Fight for a life that was free.
With ammunition and money
She helped Texas come to be.
Many famous Texans
Proposed on bended knee.
Jane answered each with,
“James was the only one for me.”
Jane Long, “Mother of Texas”,
Pioneer Woman brave and true.
Yes, Jane Long was a lady
Who did what she had to do!
Monarch Garden Perfect Stop Before or After Jane Long Festival!
By Brenda Beust Smith
Whether you’re coming via ferry or the Jane Long Highway (87) to the big Jane Long Festival Fri.-Sat., Oct. 14-15, be sure to make a stop at the Bolivar Monarch Garden created by Keep Bolivar Beautiful & Beach Bloomers Garden Club at the Joe Faggard Community Building pavilion. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many butterflies together
A new bird species
A new bird species has landed on Bolivar. It will not likely take flight anytime soon…or ever. Michael Langley had his new 80 passenger airliner fuselage delivered here to Bolivar to the Texas Frog Fest grounds near the highway. Langley purchased the formerly airworthy airliner on eBay. “I was nervous – this was the first thing I ever bought on eBay,” confessed Langley. Most people start with a
Planning Committee hard at work
The Jane Long Festival Committee is hard at work planning this year’s festival to held on October 14 & 15 at Fort Travis Seashore Park. The festival has expanded to a two-day event and includes historical re-enactments, bunker tours, live music, food & craft booths, and the new Jane Long production, “A Woman for All Centuries.” For Sponsorship, Vendor, or Volunteer opportunities, please go to janelongfestival.org.
Dear Friend of Jane Long Society
The Bolivar Peninsula Cultural Foundation is again hosting the Jane Long Festival on October 14th and 15th, 2016. Help us celebrate the spirit of Jane Long in the historical and newly renovated Fort Travis Seashore Park in Port Bolivar. History, art, music and military reenactors join together in an entertaining tribute to Jane as the “Mother of Texas”. Our past supporters have helped us host several
Texas Crab Festival to be featured on QVC-TV
For the month of June, David Venable is hosting a virtual road trip across America “visiting” food festivals that have been nominated by his viewers. Each show (every Sunday & Wednesday) he will feature a different food festival and will use that food festival’s featured ingredient in his show specific recipe. On Wednesday, June 15, David will be inspired by the Texas Crab Festival to create his
Never Quit March ends at the Texas Frog Fest
Ken Meyer presenting the flag, raised to open the 2016 Texas Frog Festival in Crystal Beach. Ken completed his 628 mile Never Quit March at the festival. Read more about Ken’s march.
Never Quit March ends with a big bang on the Bolivar Peninsula
By Brenda Cannon Henley
Ken Meyer started out to call attention to the struggles of service personnel and others suffering from PTS. This US Air Force Security Police Veteran knows whereof he speaks because he is a victim of PTS and he emphasizes that not only does the service member suffer, the family and those that love the man and woman often walk this
Dive into the Fun of the Texas Crab Festival
The Texas Crab Festival kicked off the 2016 season with great weather and an opening ceremony highlighted by skydivers overhead flying a huge American flag. Visitors were greeted to a weekend of family fun that included over 75 booths featuring local businesses, arts & crafts, great festival food and lots and lots of CRABS! A production crew was on site filming the festival for a web program to air this summer, as well as an event cam streaming all the action live!
Visitors enjoyed great Gulf Coast Music all weekend long with crowd favorite Wayne Toups headlining Friday’s festivities and country music legend Mark Chesnutt drawing record crowds on Saturday night. Bill and JoAnn Ackley were even lucky enough to win a guitar autographed by Mark Chesnutt himself. Saturday night’s Donnie Vondra Memorial Two-Step Dance contest saw Mark and Patti Roznavak take the win.
This year’s events and contests saw a record number of entries as participants battled for Texas Crab Festival bragging rights. Over 250 runners (many in crab costumes) came out to take part in the Texas Crab Festival 5K/1K Run/Walk Saturday morning. 5K overall winner of the race was Justin Dodson. 1K overall winner was Logan Thrower. The Gumbo Cookoff had bigger-than-ever crowds coming out to taste the entries with Team Laissez Bon Temps Rouxler coming out on top. More than 100 entries were submitted by local children for the Texas Crab Festival Media Contest. Dottie DoLittle (with Laura Rojas of Galveston) beat out 27 other dogs to become the Wiener Dog Races champion. 44 Teams competed in the Washers Tournament with Team Ramrod taking the top spot. The Drifters battled it out against 15 other teams to win the Bean Bag Toss Tournament. Other winners included Harold LeBlanc of Crystal Beach who won the golf cart raffle.
Mother’s Day Weekend 2016 closed on another successful festival season, all thanks to the tireless efforts of over 250 volunteers and over 50 generous sponsors. The festival would not be possible without their continued support. And as always, all proceeds from the Texas Crab Festival go to fund scholarships, grants and programs that benefit the residents of the Bolivar Peninsula. Stay tuned to see what’s next – visit texascrabfestival.org or follow the latest news on Facebook at facebook.com/texascrabfestival.
Donnie Vondra Memorial Texas 2-Step Dance Contest
Winner: Mark and Patti Roznavak
5K Run – Overall Winner: Justin Dodson
1K – Overall Winner: Logan Thrower
Wiener Dog Races
Winner: Dottie DoLittle, owned by Laura Rojas
Crab Gumbo Cookoff
Winner: Laissez les bons temps rouxler
Crenshaw elementary students who won the Crabfest poster contest:
Row 1 L-R: Sofia Tovar, Yaremy Herrera, Sol Gutierrez, Eduardo Rodriguez, Sarita Perez, Maddie Blume
Row 2 L-R: Carol Guevara, Jada Browning, Cassidy Weber, Ivan Hernandez, Jiya Desai, Lillian Dailey
Row 3 L-R: Freddy Ortiz, Sophie Clark, Ryan McClelland
Crenshaw Middle School students who won the Photo Contest:
Row 1 L-R: Julizza Vernon, Blake Walker, Sol Gutierrez, Ana Liz Castillo, Caroline Stallings
Row 2 L-R: Dustie Walker, Hannah West, Gabriela Sanchez, Hannah Alexander
Row 3 L-R Ameray Perez, Lacye Tedder, Gavin Barnett, Sarah Weeks, Jessica Ortiz, Sage Smith, Mackenzie Catching
Washers Tournament
Winner: Team RAMROD
Bean Bag Toss Tourney
Winner: THE DRIFTERS
Golf Cart Raffle
Winner: Harold LeBlanc
Mark Chesnutt autographed guitar
Auction Winners: Bill and JoAnn Ackley
Random shots from the 2016 TCF
along with all the news and results from
the 2016 Texas Crab Festival.
2016 Texas Crab Festival – Bigger, Better, Tastier!
With an exciting music lineup, fun contests and events all weekend long, get ready to get down and get crabby Gulf Coast Style in Crystal Beach, Texas. The 2016 Annual Texas Crab Fest kicks off its 31st year with big flavor, big entertainment and big fun this Mother’s Day Weekend, Friday, May 6th – 8th, 2016. Enjoy a variety of fresh, unique crab and seafood dishes along with traditional
The first Crab Festival
This was a taken at the very first Crab Festival at Crystal Beach in 1985. Mayme Holloman Woods Frederick and J.W. Frederick were on the Chamber of Commerce, and we were in charge of the Dunking Booth. Hollee Woods was one of the first guinea pigs. Those were the days…this year marks the 31st anniversary. (photo: Kathy Woods-Yeary)
Texas Frog Fest announces Music Line-up
The new Texas Frog Fest website is up and running. Check out the 2016 TFF music line-up, buy tickets on-line, or volunteer to work at the festival. Go to texasfrogfest.com.
Texas Frog Fest is coming
Activity is hopping at the Texas Frog Fest grounds as preparations are underway for the 2016 Texas Frog Fest, Memorial Day weekend, May 28 and 29, 2016. Visit Facebook for the latest news and information!
facebook.com/texasfrogfest
TCF Shoutout to our Sponsors
By Jan Rocco
Just a few months ago, Marlene Mallet and I accepted the challenge to go out and gather sponsors for the 2016 Texas Crab Festival. We have had the best time and met some of the best people; now we are going to do it again for 2017, but are looking for two people to join us so we can “pass the torch” in 2018. We think that it will keep the
“Jane Long” Interviewed for Daughters of American Revolution
Jane Long (aka Helen Mooty) was “interviewed” by Brenda Beust Smith in a reprisal of their delightful radio enactment recently for the Daughters of the American Revolution’s Lake Houston Chapter. Helen, retired director of the Galveston County Museum and a leading Jane Long historian, arrived at the Kingwood, TX, DAR meeting in full period attire, and skillfully gave the DAR members descriptive glimpses
