With the beginning of a new season and the beautiful weather experienced lately in Bay Area Houston, it is time to enjoy many of the region’s spring festivities. Mark the calendar for a series of outdoor events scheduled over the next several weeks. “One of my favorite activities this time of year is the Wednesday night sailboat races on Clear Lake beginning in April,” stated Pam Summers, president of Bay Area Houston Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Visible from most of our region and at many area restaurants and bars, this weekly event takes full advantage of our waterfront views and amazing sunsets.”

All of the cities within Bay Area Houston are ripe with spring festivals, cook-offs and fun events. For a full listing, go to www.visitbayareahouston.com. Here are a few of the highlights.

• Kemah ⎯ Experience great flavor at the Kemah Crawfish Festival on April 15-17. The three-day event takes place under the iconic Seabrook-Kemah Bridge. In addition to tasty crawfish, Kemah will offer the best of Cajun dishes and classic festival fare. The area’s best Zydeco bands will provide the infectious rhythms where the bayou meets the bay.
• LaPorte ⎯ Commemorate the 175th anniversary of Texas independence at the San Jacinto Day Festival and Battle Reenactment to be held Saturday, April 16 at the base of the San Jacinto Monument. This event, with living history demonstrators, music and craft vendors, culminates in the largest reenactment in the state, honoring those who fought for freedom against Mexico in 1836.
• League City ⎯ Attend the third annual South West International Boat Show hosted by the South Shore Harbour Marina in League City. This affair is the largest in-water boat show in the Lone Star State. Buyers, sellers and vendors from across Texas, the United States and Mexico will converge on April 14-17 to display more than 400 boats, water sports equipment and toys.
• Nassau Bay ⎯ Enter an art competition hosted by The Arts Alliance Center at Clear Lake. Held in conjunction with this year’s Keels & Wheels Concorse D’Elegance, the contest theme includes boats or cars in the artist’s favorite medium. Cash prizes will be presented and winning art placed on display during this popular event scheduled for April 30-May 1.
• Seabrook ⎯ Join the celebration at the Gumbo Geaux Geaux event on April 9-10 at Landolt Pavilion in Clear Lake Park. Hosted by Seabrook Rotary, the day will be filled with Zydeco music, fun shopping opportunities, kids’ activities and tasty Cajun food. Laissez le Bon temp rouler.
• Webster - Gear up for the region’s newest water competition, the Edgewater Dragon Boat Challenge in Webster. To be held April 9, this event promotes the tradition and sport of dragon boating, while increasing awareness of Asian and Asian-American cultures. Dragon boat racing is the world's fastest growing water sport, combining tradition with modern-day teamwork, enthusiasm and strategy.

“This is a wonderful time for outdoor fun and excitement in Bay Area Houston,” concluded Summers. “The region offers affordable hotel accommodations, top tourist attractions and family-fun events that make any weekend memorable.”