Coastal Bend Weekend Offers Variety of Celebrations

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The Coastal Bend region of Texas is hosting a diverse array of events and celebrations this weekend, including a Lunar New Year Festival, Paranormal Cirque Inferno, Valentine's Day races, a Dachshund Dash, Galentine's Night, a Songwriters Festival, and Saltwater Mardi Gras in Aransas Pass.

Why it matters

The Coastal Bend is capitalizing on the rare convergence of holidays and events like Friday the 13th, Valentine's Day, Lunar New Year, and Mardi Gras to offer a wide range of cultural, athletic, and entertainment options for residents and visitors alike.

The details

The Lunar New Year Festival at V Mart will feature traditional lion dances, an ice skating court, obstacle courses, kids activities, and a petting zoo with horse rides. Paranormal Cirque Inferno is bringing its black-and-white big top to La Palmera with a fusion of horror, acrobatics, music, and theatrical spectacle. The Leave a Legacy 5K & 10K and Cupid's Chase 5K will raise funds for local charities, while the Puppy Love Dachshund Dash celebrates everyone's favorite low-riding pups. Galentine's Night at Fifth & Elm offers live music, specialty drinks, local vendors, and games. The Corpus Christi Songwriters Festival features 30 performers at four downtown venues, and Saltwater Mardi Gras in Aransas Pass includes a gumbo cook-off competition, zydeco music, food trucks, and vendor booths.

• The Lunar New Year Festival at V Mart is on Saturday, February 14, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Paranormal Cirque Inferno is running from February 13-16 at La Palmera.
• The Leave a Legacy 5K & 10K is on Saturday, February 14, with a 7:45 a.m. start.
• Cupid's Chase 5K Corpus Christi is on Saturday, February 14, with a 9 a.m. start.
• The Puppy Love Dachshund Dash is on Saturday at 3 p.m.