82 THE COASTAL BEND MAGAZINE • Winter 2018-19 TheCoastalBend.com Port Aransas PORT ARANSAS TOUR OF HOMES Saturday January 26—The 2019 Port Aransas Garden Club Tour of Homes features a diverse collection of historical and architecturally interest- ing homes that showcase island living at its best. A home which was on the original home tour in 1988, an artist’s home and studio, new and older cot- tages, and new construction/renova- tion will be sure to impress. This year is particularly momentous for Port Aransas as we make our comeback from Hurricane Harvey. Every home featured on the tour was impacted by the storm and the recovery efforts are inspiring. The Tour of Homes begins at the Port Aransas Community Center at 8:30 a.m., and self-guided and bus tours are available. Whooping Crane Festival makes for a great weekend in Port A Thursday February 21st— Sunday February 24th One of the top bird watching destinations in the United States, according to the National Audobon Society, Port A’s annual festival celebrates the Coastal Bend’s most honored winter visitor, the Whooping Crane. World renowned crane expert, Dr. George Archibald, co-founder of the International Crane Foundation, will be one of the featured speakers, along with representatives from Operation Migration, Wood Buffalo National Park, the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, and more. Festival at- tendees will have the opportunity to take guided boat tours to the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge to view the world’s last naturally-occurring population of Whooping Cranes on their wintering grounds. Additional festival activities include birding and nature boat and bus tours, interactive workshops and seminars, a painting and wine tasting class, and a free nature-related trade show. WhoopingCraneFestival.com Winter Fishing Tournament January 31st - February 2—The first event in the annual Saltwater Legends Fishing Series takes place in Port A, and will attract anglers from throughout Texas in a competition for points and prize money. Roberts Point Park will be the center of activity for this popular winter fishing tournament. SaltwarterLegendsSeries.com