The Galveston Island Shrimp Festival will return to Historic Downtown Galveston on September 27-28, 2024, offering two full days of shrimp, live music, and family fun. The event will include a Shrimp Gumbo Cook-Off, Lil’ Shrimps Parade, and a 5K run, among other activities.
.jpg)
GALVESTON, Texas (AP) — On September 27-28, 2024, the Galveston Island Shrimp Festival will return to Historic Downtown Galveston, offering two full days of shrimp, music, and entertainment for the entire family. Live music, a 5K run, a Lil' Shrimps Parade, a Shrimp Gumbo Cook-Off, and many vendors will be featured at the event.

Pexels.com
This year's festivities will commence with a Friday Kick-Off Party, during which ticket-bearers can indulge in a fried shrimp dinner, coleslaw, potato salad, and an open bar, all while listening to live entertainment. The Shrimp Gumbo Cook-Off, the primary event, will be held on Saturday. Attendees will have the opportunity to sample a diverse selection of gumbos prepared by both professional and amateur chefs. A discount is available for tickets to the gumbo tasting stroll when purchased in advance, or they are available at regular price on the day of the event.
Additional festival highlights include a children's area, the Strand Merchant Walk-About, and activities that are suitable for all ages. Furthermore, seafood enthusiasts may acquire seats for the Shrimp Dinner Plate event on September 28, featuring additional delectable shrimp dishes.
The festival will be held at the intersection of 23rd Street and Strand Street (2302 Strand) in Galveston's Historic Strand District, where residents and visitors will come together to commemorate the Gulf Coast's rich seafood tradition. Although general festival attendance is free, tickets are required for certain activities. The annual commemoration of Gulf Coast culture and shrimp is anticipated to attract a substantial audience, according to festival organizers.
.jpg)
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has closed the oyster harvesting area TX-5 in Galveston Bay after reef health fell below sustainability thresholds, leaving only two public areas open in the bay as the season continues.
.jpg)
The Gulf Coast Protection District voted unanimously Jan. 21 to advance preliminary engineering and design work on the long-debated Galveston Bay Barrier System, a $31 billion centerpiece of the broader Coastal Texas Project. Supporters call it critical storm protection; critics question its cost, timeline, and effectiveness.
.jpg)
A $35 million beach renourishment project on Pensacola Beach is nearing completion, with 1.5 million cubic yards of sand set to be placed along 8.1 miles of shoreline ahead of peak spring tourism. Similar restoration efforts have wrapped up in Galveston, Texas.