The Aransas Pass Shimporee has gone platinum, celebrating its 70th anniversary of live entertainment, culinary events, contests, carnival rides, and more June 8-10.
The septuagenarian festival originated as The Blessing of the Fleet, a special ceremony honoring all of the Coastal Bend’s shrimp boats.
“When it first began, Aransas Pass was the ‘Shrimp Capital of the World,’” Linda Cobb, member services at the Aransas Pass Chamber of Commerce, told Corpus Christi Business News. “The shrimpers would cook all the shrimp and give it to the locals. It was a whole celebration with a street dance.”
Today, the event is pulled together by the Aransas Pass Chamber of Commerce with the help of about 1,000 volunteers, numerous nonprofits, and local businesses. Past Shrimporees have hosted more than 45,000 visitors in a single weekend — so expect this year to be huge!
Peel and eat your fill of shrimp from the culinary tent with food prepared by nonprofit groups serving up shrimp gumbo, shrimp kabobs, grilled shrimp tacos, and more. There’s also a special shrimp boil tent, a crowd favorite for summer parties. Plenty of picnic tables are set up around the property for dining with family and friends.
The whole weekend is filled with fun for all ages. With carnival rides, magic shows, standup comedy, live music, Ballet Folklorico dances, arts and crafts, and even a Men’s and Women’s Sexy Legs Contest, this exciting event kicks off the summer season in the Coastal Bend.
The parade takes off at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 9. Watch as creative, flashy floats and exciting marching groups make their way down North Commercial Street competing for “Best of” trophies:

  • Best of Show
  • Best of Spirit
  • Best Theme
  • Best Decorated
  • Best Youth Entry
  • Best Overall Entry

Park at the event or take advantage of the free park-and-ride shuttle. Pickup stations are at:

  • Aransas Pass Chamber of Commerce, 130 W. Goodnight Ave.
  • Compton Hall, 704 W. Yoakum at Harrison
  • Palm Plaza, 1901 Wheeler (in the Bealls parking lot)

Daily admission is $10 for adults and $5 for seniors, military members, and children ages 7-12. Children 6 and younger get in free. Get a three-day access pass for $20. Food vendors are cash only, so be sure to bring some!
Create your own Shrimporee at home: Visit the website to download recipes for shrimp stir-fry, shrimp po’boy, shrimp stock with seven variations, Southern comfort shrimp, spicy Cajun shrimp and grits, and Thai shrimp soup. All recipes were created by chef Justin Vickery for the 2007 Shrimporee.
Shrimporee takes place in Aransas Pass Community Park at 200 E. Goodnight Avenue. For more information, visit aransaspass.org/shrimporee.