vernons crawfish pachanga corpus christi

Spring has officially sprung! We kicked off the week with the Spring Equinox. The sun is now in Aries, and Mars has finally left Gemini. It’s a whole new astrological year – and ya girl is totally excited for this new beginning. Astrology might not be everyone’s bag … so here’s a smattering of events around the Coastal Bend that will entice anyone from the crawfish connoisseur to the green thumb, the shopper to the art lover, and everyone in between:

 

BLUFFS AND BOOTS

Friday, 6 p.m.
The Landing at Bluff’s Landing

Kick up your boots with your favorite dance partner and country jams at Bluff’s Landing this Friday. For $10, you get a beer, food and all the boot scootin’ boogie you can handle. No partner? No problem – there’ll be line dancing, too!   

 

PIANO CELEBRATION WEEK 

Friday, 7 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, noon to 9 p.m.
TAMUCC

Friday night kicks off Piano Celebration Week at TAMUCC – an eight-day observance of the ivories and musicians with, get this, 33 events and 400 performers. This free and open-to-the-public event will showcase any genre music you can imagine from classical, broadway, pop and Latin. Friday night kicks off the week with the opening concert featuring Sangmi Lim and Dino Mulic. Find a whole list of events and performers here

 

INGLESIDE ROUNDUP DAYS

Friday, 5 p.m. to midnight; Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to midnight
Ingleside

We love a good festival, and Ingleside’s Round Up Days and Music Festival has all the music, food and fun we can probably handle! Take advantage of the summer-like weather this weekend and go ride some rides for us! Admission is $5, but military and veterans and kids 8 and under get in free. Show up early on Saturday for free entry from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Learn more here. 

 

JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH

Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, 2:30 p.m.
Harbor Playhouse

Catch a masterpeach at the Harbor Playhouse this weekend with the opening weekend of ‘James and the Giant Peach.’ Roald Dahl’s book hits the stage featuring tunes from the Tony Award-nominated Pasek and Paul. While it may not be the stop-motion feature of my childhood, this musical is sure to delight kids of all ages. 

 

METAL SHOP

Friday, 8 p.m.
Mesquite Street Southside

For those about to rock: we salute you. Rock out to all the monster hits of the 80’s with Metal Shop and Young Klassics. Grab your tickets here for Friday’s show to feel the noize. (OK, I’ll stop here before I try to reference any more dad, errr… I mean classic, rock songs without much success.) 

 

11TH ANNUAL COMPETENCIA FOKLÓRICA DE TEJAS: FOLKLORICO COMPETITION

Saturday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Selena Auditorium

Prepare to be dazzled by ballet foklorico dancers from across the U.S. and Mexico as they take to the stage with impressive and colorful dances. For $10 daily admission, or $15 for a weekend pass, you can experience and celebrate this cultural performance.

 

LAW ENFORCEMENT TORCH RUN GUARDIANS 5K

Saturday, 8 a.m.
Cole Park

Rise and shine early Saturday morning and get walkin’ to help support local Special Olympics athletes. All walkers will receive a finisher medal. 5K not your thing? There’s also a one mile walk. Click here to find out how you can join.

 

CÉSAR CHÁVEZ MARCHA AND FESTIVAL

Saturday, 9 a.m.
Garcia Arts & Education Center

The annual César Chávez march honors the Mexican-American labor activist and leader of the United Farm Workers. Take to the street to help promote awareness of his non-violent principles to highlight the plight of migrant farm workers in the U.S. The march starts at the corner of Agnes and Port and ends at the Garcia Center with food, music and guest speakers.  

 

SOUTHSIDE FARMERS’ MARKET

Saturday, 9 a.m.
5800 Everhart Road

Stock up your pantry with local fruits, veggies and more at the Corpus Christi Southside Farmers’ market. This weekly market is held rain or shine in the Market shopping center at 5800 Everhart Rd. 

 

NATIVE PLANT SALE AND SWAP

Saturday 9 a.m.
Roberts Point Park, Port Aransas

It’s spring and my (not-so) green thumb is itching. However, I’m hopeful I can score some hardy plants that might survive my attention (or lack thereof) at Keep Port Aransas Beautiful and the Port Aransas Nature Preserve’s native plant sale. These beautiful, bird-friendly plants are adapted for the Texas weather – and if they can survive that, surely I can keep one alive. 

 

TOUCH-A-TRUCK

Saturday, 10 a.m.
Whataburger Field

Y’all, what kid (and kid at heart) doesn’t love trucks? What if I told you there’s an event where you can experience working vehicles and trucks of all types? Grab your kiddos and head to Whataburger Field for the fifth annual Touch-A-Truck event. This family-centric event offers kids a hand-on opportunity to climb, explore and, of course, touch the vehicles and meet the people who build, protect and serve the Coastal Bend. The free event is brought to you by the Junior League of Corpus Christi, H-E-B and the Port of Corpus Christi. Horns free time is from 10 a.m. to noon. 

 

VERNON’S CRAWFISH PACHANGA

Saturday, noon
Vernon’s

It’s pachanga time! Vernon’s annual crawfish pachanga is back – and they’ll be serving up all the crawfish and cold beer you can handle. The party starts at noon and lasts all day with live music from the Shayna Sands Duo, Triptonite and more. 

 

THE NEST DRAG BRUNCH

Saturday, noon
The Nest

Kick off your weekend with a dose of fabulousness at the Nest’s drag brunch. Join your host Layla Brooks and other beautiful divas for an event that’s sure to slay. Doors open at noon, and the show kicks off at 1 p.m. $15 for entry, $20 for table seating. Call Brandy at 361-249-2922 to make your reservation.

 

SPRING SEASON OPENER: STX CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT

Saturday, noon
Corpus Christi Harley-Davidson 

Spring, for me, means lawn parties and lawn games. It also means I get a little competitive as the party goes on. Why not channel that competitive spirit into the South Texas Cornhole Tournament? Registration starts at 11 a.m., and the tournament kicks off at noon. Not feeling competitive? Enjoy the free beer, food truck and live music – or take a test ride on a Harley! 

 

LITTLE RANGERS: FISHING FUN

Saturday, 2 p.m.
Lake Corpus Christi State Park

Reel in some family fun at Lake Corpus Christi State Park. Throw a line and hook a fish – without “really fishing.” This Little Ranger program, designed for children ages 3-7, features reading, playing and crafting all about fishing. The program is free with park admission.

 

CORPUS CHRISTI CAR SHOW

Saturday, noon to 5 p.m.
American Bank Center

Cruise down to the 2023 Corpus Christi Car Show and shift your weekend into high gear. See and experience custom cars, trucks and motorcycles from around the Coastal Bend. And, the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders will also be on site for the second year in a row – so, you can grab a photo or autograph with America’s sweethearts. 

 

MAIN STREET MONTHLY WINE WALK

Saturday, 5 p.m.
Kingsville

Wine down from the weekend at the Main Street Monthly Wine Walk in Kingsville. Sample wine options as you stroll down main street and shop to your heart’s delight from the stores and visiting vendors. Craft beer options from the Javelina Water Hole are also available. Click here for more information.

 

SAKE DAY

Saturday, 6 p.m.
Texas State Museum of Asian Cultures

Sake: do you ever order this outside of a trip to your favorite sushi restaurant? Interested in learning more about the history of this rice wine – or, interested in tasting different ones? Sign up for the Texas State Museum of Asian Cultures’ class to take your palate on a trip to Japan. Seating is limited, and a $25 prepayment is required.

 

SATURDAY NIGHT LIGHTS RIDE OUT

Saturday, 8 p.m.
Water’s Edge Park

Strap on your helmets and knee pads for the Saturday Lights Ride Out! All ages and skill levels are welcome to join this casual-paced five mile ride through Shoreline and downtown. Grab your bicycle, ebike, skateboard, rollerblades, roller-skates or scooter and wheel out for this ‘ride at your own risk’ event. 

 

BRUSHES + BEATS + BRUNCH

Sunday, noon to 4 p.m.
The Post

Upgrade your Sunday brunch with Daniel Dzulworks DeLeon’s live painting event on The Post’s patio. Sip on your mimosa or bloody mary while DJ King G provides the beats. Sounds like a great way to embrace Sunday funday, huh? 

 

AYERS CENTER MONTHLY MARKET

Sunday, 1-6 p.m.
Ayers Center Plaza

Join your favorite local food trucks for a Sunday Funday at Ayers Center Plaza. Grab some delicious grub from MartyMcPies, The Most Comida, Susheria and Fatty’s Third Coast. Get thrifty with vintage gear and collectibles from Playground Exchange and thethriftingfool and then try your hand at axe throwing with Padre Island Axe Hats. 

 

EMO YOGA

Sunday, 2 p.m.
House of Rock

It’s still not a phase, mom. Now that we’re (mostly) grown up, I’m feeling those aches and pains more physically (as well as emotionally), so why not stretch it out? This 60-minute, all levels yoga class features a playlist of everyone’s favorite emo jams. Bring your own yoga mat and water bottle, but eyeliner and a will to live are optional. 

 

Hey besties! Have you got the deets on an event you’d think we’d be interested in? Email rightoncorpus@righton.com and diandraspicak@gmail.com. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @rightoncorpus, and DM us there, too! We’re always looking for new things around the Coastal Bend.