By Alexandrea Bailey The South Texas Ecotourism Center [STEC] will host a Halloween Festival this October. At STEC’s Halloween Festival, there is something for everyone, including movies, food, vendors with plenty of Halloween goodies, a costume contest, hands-on activities and more. The highlight of the event will be the Trick or Treat Trail. The center …

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By Alexandrea Bailey An all-ages event celebrating the spooky Halloween season is returning to the sandy beaches of South Padre Island, with a tropical twist. Gulf Guardians is bringing back the Ohana-Ween Surf Costume Contest to Barry’s Beach Bar on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024. “This fun-filled event is free for all participants and attendees, and …

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By Arabella Serrata Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is an annual holiday spanning several days in early November. During these precious few days, loved ones, dead and alive, reunite for family and remembrance. According to DayoftheDead.holiday, dedicated to education on the holiday, it is split between two primary days, one celebrating …

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Special to the PARADE AUSTIN, TX—One couple’s 370-mile trek across the seven barrier islands of Texas comes to life this October. The series will air on all Texas PBS stations and be available for free on the PBS mobile app (check local listings). It will also be distributed nationally to public media stations this fall. …

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Special to the PARADE El Paseo Arts Foundation [EPAF] offers Carole Caplan-Lonner’s musical comedy The Kids Left. The Dog Died. Now What? at the SPI Convention Center, on Nov. 4, 5 and 6, 2024. This musical comedy salutes those valiantly struggling with gravity on their bodies, grandchildren on their self-images, perhaps divorce on their hands …

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By ARABELLA SERRATA The South Texas Ecotourism Center [STEC] has announced its Fall and Winter speaker series. These speakers all feature passion and knowledge about the wonders of the South Texas and the Rio Grande Valley [RGV] ecosystem and strive to educate others about conservation. Speakers covering bird topics include Marilyn Lorenz and Javier Gonzalez. …

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By Alexandrea Bailey The DuOver is a charming cover band consisting of married couple Melonie and Carl Michael. The two are full of passion for music and harbor a deep love for their family. Getting to know them, they can easily be described as some of the kindest people around. If you’re lucky enough, or …

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By Javier Gonzalez Special to the PARADE The fall season is a gorgeous time of year on South Padre Island. The weather is sweet, the light is soft, and fall flowering nectar plants all over the Island burst into full bloom in perfect synch with the passing of kaleidoscope of migrating Monarch butterflies on route …

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By Laurie Coker Special to the PARADE Nestled next to the Historic Lighthouse District, The Grouchy Gringo is a standout destination for Southern Coastal-Cajun-inspired cuisine, serving up flavorful dishes in a warm and laid-back atmosphere. While the food boasts refined flair, the vibe is casual and inviting, making it the perfect spot for breakfast, lunch …

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Special to the PRESS HARLINGEN, TX—Port Isabel resident Samuel Steele served in the U.S. Army for six years. The talent he developed as a Network Communications Systems Specialist led him to an education at Texas State Technical College’s [TSTC] Harlingen campus. “I relocated to the Rio Grande Valley after my military career and looked for …

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