Posted on

Notice: Lighthouse closed for step repair until further notice

The lighthouse will be closed until further notice due to the necessary repairs to a step. Temporary repairs were made earlier in the week, and after further inspection by the City’s Building Department and the Museum Staff it was decided to close the lighthouse pending an inspection by Texas Parks and Wildlife. While the historic lighthouse is an important attraction to Port Isabel, public safety is the utmost concern.

Friday’s showing of CORALINE is still scheduled to start at 8:30 pm! Everybody is invited to attend as Port Isabel kicks of a full schedule of Halloween and Day of the Dead weekend activities.

Thank you for your patience in this matter. For more information call the Museums at 956/943-7602.

Gabriel Godines
Museums of Port Isabel Curator of Education and Programs

Posted on

Halloween Community Street Dance 10/30 8-11p

HALLOWEEN COMMUNITY STREET DANCE brought to you by the City of Port Isabel and the Museums of Port Isabel. FREE admission! Family Friendly! Costume Contest! Door Prizes! Food & Concessions! Live Music by Risueno! 8:00 – 11:00 pm.

In front of the historic Champion Building, Port Isabel Historical Museum, 317 E. Railroad. Ave. in Port Isabel. For more information, contact museumdirector@copitx.com or call 956/943-7602.

Posted on

Rick Diaz, “Con Mi Gente” Video Shoot at Museums Day of the Dead Exhibit

Rick Diaz, Channel 5’s Con MI Gente, visited the Museums of Port Isabel with his video camera and some questions about how Port Isabel celebrates Los Colores del Muerto ~ Day of the Dead.


Edward Meza, City Manager and former Museum Director, was involved in the creation of the celebration through the Museums in Port Isabel some 13 years ago.

Local Artist and Educator, Dina Saldana’s  altars, original art and displays are a Day of the Dead tradition since 1996. One features an original painting of the skeletons of her mother and father on a sailboat, a wedding photo and small items that were meaningful to them.

Jeannie Marie A. Flores, Administrative Assistant, came in Katrina costume and she and Gabriel Godines, Curator of Education and Programs shared information about what is scheduled for he upcoming event on Saturday, October 30th.

Gloria Bates, was on hand to perform a portion of the play she has written for the occasion. She will be joined by fellow cast members during the Day of the Dead celebration for two performances.

For more information on the Day of the Dead Celebration, click here: /mopi/programs/day-dead/ or call 956/943-7602.

Posted on

Day of the Dead~ Los Colores del Muerto Celebration 10/30 1-7p

Day of the Dead wrap up: http://portisabel-texas.com/blog/2010/10/31/port-isabel-celebrates-halloween-day-dead-costume-contest-dance-exhibits-plays-vendors-food-movie/
The Museums of Port Isabel Celebrates their Annual Los Colores del Muerto!

The Museums of Port Isabel, in collaboration with the City of Port Isabel, the Laguna Madre Museum Foundation, the Port Isabel Economic Development Corporation, the Laguna Madre Art League, their Annual  Day of the Dead festival – “Los Colores Del  Muerto” on Saturday, October 30, 2010 from 1 to 7 p.m. at the Port Isabel Historical Museum, 317 E. Railroad Ave. in Port Isabel. The Port Isabel Lighthouse will be closed, until further notice as steps on the interior are restored.

Dia de los Muerto, Day of the Dead, is a Mexican custom of celebrating all souls and all saints day in a festive atmosphere.  Because the Mexican culture  find joy in remembering loved ones who have passed away, they spend a night and a day at the burial sight of the deceased family members, honoring the memories of their lives. Traditionally, the Day of the Dead was a three day and three night festival that mixed Spanish Catholicism with Mesoamerican Indian roots. The ancient custom has now been transformed to fit the Mexican-American households of today. The Mexican culture believes that deceased children return to visit Earth on the last day of October, and the faithful dead return on November 2nd. At this time every year, families gather at cemeteries to clean and adorn the graves of their deceased loved ones. The Museum celebrates the heritage and artistic expression of this custom with traditional and non-traditional altars and festivities. See more… > /mopi/programs/day-dead/holiday/

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS: Throughout the  day there will be Day of the Dead Altars and Artwork on display in the Treasures of the Gulf Art Gallery.
1:00 – 5:00 p.m.: Live Entertainment with Musical group “Ensamble La Misión – Laura Foncerrada”
2:00 p.m.: Skull candy workshop with Jessica Villescaz & Omar Fonseca & Altar Making in a cigar box workshop with the Laguna Madre Art League
3:00 p.m.: Inside the Treasures of the Gulf Museum (Special Day of the Dead Play by Gloria Bates)
3:00 – 5:00 p.m.: Outdoor event featuring Ken Trevino and students from the Port Isabel with Short Stories, Poetry, & Music
5:00 – 7:00 p.m.: Presentation with Manuel Hinojosa on “The History of Day of the Dead”
7:00 – 8:00 p.m. – Encore presentation of “Day of the Dead” play by Gloria Bates

VENDORS! VENDORS! VENDORS!

1- Amber Erica (Jewelry)
2- Susie Alcocer (Jewelry)
3- Ed & Jesse (Antiques)
4- Museums of Port Isabel (T-Shirts)
5- Carmen (Jewelry, Toys & Hair Fashions)
6- Alma (Vinatge Jewelry & Mexican Lottery T-Shirts)
7- Angel (Corn in the Cup)
8- Isaura (Hot Dogs, Nachos, Frito Pies, Hot Cheetos & Chesse, Cotton Candy, Chocolate Candy Bars & Cornuts
9- Sylvia (Tamales & Fruit Cups)
10- Ana (Chicken Enchiladas & Tostadas, Frijos a la Charra & Chicharones
11- Aby (Soft Drinks & Popcorn)
12- Pi Fire Dept (Fajiata, Chicken & Sausage Tacos)
13- Lynette (Information: Green Mountain)
14- Denise (Aqua Frescas & Pan de Muerto)
15- City of Port Isabel Finance Dept (Candy Apples, Cupcakes & Kiddie Stuff)
16- Laguna Madre Humane Society (Pets for Adoption)
17- Laguna Madre Humane Society (Pets for Adoption)
18- Monica (Baked Goods: Brownies, Pies, Cookies & Cakes)
19- Tom (Hands on Hondures: Jewelry)
20- Pete (Funnel Cakes & Caramel Corn)
21- Patricia (Face Painting)

HALLOWEEN COMMUNITY STREET DANCE! We are encouraging children and adults to dress in costumes in the Halloween spirit and dance the night away!!! 8:00 – 11:00pm – Halloween Community Street Dance brought to you by the City of Port Isabel and the Museums of Port Isabel. Live Music by Risueno!

DAY OF THE DEAD T-SHIRTS: A limited number of Day of the Dead t-shirts will be available! Based on the poster design, the artwork features a stylized skull using motifs important to Port Isabel’s history, including the Port Isabel Lighthouse, a shrimp boat and Gulf shrimp. They will be available for sale at the Museums Gift Shop.

VENDOR or ALTAR SUBMISSION INFO: If you are interested in vending  or altar submission opportunities at the Day of the Dead event, contact Jeannie Marie A. Flores at 956/943-7602, email: museumdirector@copitx.com or fill out online forms for Altar Submission or Vendor Application.