Annual Shrimporee in Aransas Pass: The World's Largest Shrimp Festival

Aransas Pass is a seaport town just a few minutes across the bay from Corpus Christi , Texas. Just after World War II it had the largest shrimping fleet on the Gulf of Mexico. The town itself is very small, just around 9,000 people, but it is part of a hub of towns that hug the bay and Gulf around Portland, Rockport and Corpus Christi. This little town has drawn visitors year round, because anglers can catch fish in any season and the area's famous for its trophy-sized flounder, redfish and trout. It is literally a fisherman's paradise, so naturally, the charter business is a thriving industry, drawing anglers from all over the country.

The town also draws birdwatchers from all over as well. Of the over 800 species of birds found in the U.S. over 500 of them pass through or are natives of this area. The Brown Pelican, Blue Heron, Roseate Spoonbills, Ruby-Throated Hummingbird and even the endangered Whooping Crane gather in and near the Aransas Natural Wildlife Refuge every year. It's a place of spectacular beauty.

There's no doubt that shrimp is king here. Every year the town throws the largest Shrimp Festival in the state--some say the largest in the world! This year the "Shrimporee" will take place Friday, Saturday and Sunday, June 1-3 to welcome in the beginning of summer and to celebrate the industry that has been the mainstay of the area's economy for years. This festival is a real bargain because anyone can get a three-day wrist-band for just $10. For hose not wanting to attend the full weekend kids under 12 can get in for $3 per day and adults pay $5. There will be shuttles from the Chamber of Commerce, the Shopping Center, and the old Walmart building, so no worries about getting to and from cars to the events. The Shrimporee is expected to draw well over 55,000 Texans this year.
There will be entertainment with arts and crafts exhibits, commercial exhibits, magic displays, and musical acts. Another area will be set up with carnival rides and vendors with that great carnival food. People can purchase tickets for food and drink purchases or pay for them with cash. Kids will have their own activities like a petting zoo, the kidfish tank, and obstacle course. A tent will be set up where they can color posters and make simple crafts. The whole event takes place in Johnson Community Park. The highlight of the Saturday events is the parade from downtown Aransas Pass.

Musical lineup is as follows: Friday : Tip Jar Romeo followed by Jimmy Gonzales & Grupo Mazz, Saturday : Smiley & The Texas Fever Band followed by Two Tons of Steel, Sunday : Tip Jar Romeo followed by Muddcatts and Johnny Mandell. But each day the highlight of this event is the lowly shrimp. The best Chefs from Texas and beyond will have displays where people can see them preparing dishes featuring the lowly shrimp. Dishes like Yucatan Shrimp Toast and Blackened Shrimp Ceasar take center stage. Another highlight of all the food celebrations is a shrimp cook-off in which people compete and win prizes for the best shrimp dishes.