For many, this 4th of July weekend means having four days off. A great way to spend those hard-earned hours is to head to Galveston for fun at the beach, including a parade, fireworks, sandcastle lessons, an old-fashioned band concert and more.
Take in an extraordinary display of creativity and craftsmanship at the Sand Sculpting Showdown & Lessons at East Beach from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 1 and 2. Three master sand sculpture artists will compete for bragging rights, and beachgoers will vote to determine the winner. The competitors are Sue McGrew, a long-time sand sculpting pro from Tacoma, Wash.; Brian Turbough, a sand sculptor, painter and furniture maker from Illinois; and Lucinda K. Wierenga, a sand sculptor from Texas who helped establish South Padre Island’s Sandcastle Days more than 35 years ago. Spectators can also participate in free sandcastle lessons at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
When the sun begins to set, guests to Galveston can enjoy an evening of music and fireworks at Moody Gardens’ Palm Beach on Saturday, July 1. Beats on the Beach is a family-friendly event that gives guests the opportunity to get up and dance to the beats of a D.J. They can also relax at the white-sand beach or lounge in the lazy river. Beats on the Beach takes place from 6-10 p.m., with fireworks lighting up the sky over Offatts Bayou at 9:15 p.m.
For a huge dose of Americana, be sure to head to the Galveston Beach Band concert on Monday, July 3, at 7:30 p.m. The concerts feature a diverse mix of show tunes, big band numbers and jazz. A special children’s parade takes place during the show. Part of a summer series of free music, the concert will take place at the Eugenia and George Sealy Pavilion, 900 24th Street.
On the 4th, island visitors can enjoy the annual Independence Day parade featuring a procession of floats, decorated military vehicles and performers. The parade will kick off on Tuesday, July 4 at 6 p.m. on Seawall Boulevard, starting at 22nd Street and continuing west to 45th Street.
After the parade, the island will host a 20-minute fireworks show at 9:15 p.m. near 37th Street and Seawall Boulevard. The fireworks show is sponsored by the City of Galveston and the Galveston Park Board of Trustees. Guests can synchronize music with the show by downloading the “Pyrocast” app and following the instructions here.
About Galveston Island
Galveston Island is a historic beach town located on the Gulf of Mexico just 50 miles from Houston. The island is best known as a vacation destination, offering 32 miles of beaches, a variety of family attractions, Texas’ premier cruise port and one of the largest and well-preserved concentrations of Victorian architecture in the country, including several National Historic Landmarks. Galveston Island is the birthplace of Juneteenth and home to popular amusements such as Moody Gardens and Schlitterbahn Galveston Island Waterpark, as well as a variety of museums and recreational activities from surfing to birding. For more information on Galveston Island go to www.visitgalveston.com or call 1-888-GAL-ISLE.
