Internationally-known photographer Keith Carter calls Southeast Texas home. Museum 
of the Gulf Coast will host “Poet of the Ordinary: Photographs by Keith Carter,” June 16-July 28. The traveling exhibition is on loan from the major Carter archive at the Wittliff Collections, Texas State University-San Marcos, which houses the world’s largest Keith Carter collection with more than 1,200 images.
City of Port Arthur's Tourism and Visitors Site
Calendar of Events
June 16, 2013
Poet of the Ordinary: Photographs by Keith Carter
June 19, 2013
Juneteenth
Port Arthur’s Juneteenth celebration typically involves a parade and 
performances. For information, contact Gail Pellum, president of the African American Cultural Society, at (409) 332-9105.
The 19th of June, 1865, is when the enslaved of Texas learned the Emancipation Proclamation had been signed long ago, on Jan. 1, 1863.
2013 events include:
Procession honoring African-American Veterans – June 1, 3 p.m. – Port Arthur Public Library, 4615 Ninth Avenue
· Juneteenth Kids Fest – June 10-11, 5:30- 8 p.m. – event history lesson, Thomas Boulevard Church of Christ, 2848 Thomas Boulevard.
· Miss Juneteenth Pageant – June 17, 6 p.m., Historic Israel Chapel, AME Church, 948 Freeman Ave.
· Parade – June 19, 6 p.m., Procter Street; entertainment to follow in downtown pavilion.
July 4, 2013
Independence Day Celebration
A blast of fireworks and entertainment that often includes a whistler, bag pipe player, singers, barbershop quartet music, and excerpts from local theater productions are part of Port Arthur’s Independence Day Celebration. A Veterans of Foreign Wars group posts colors at the celebration, which typically begins a little after 7 p.m. at the Carl A. Parker Multipurpose Center on the Lamar State College-Port Arthur campus, 1800 Lakeshore Drive.
July 4th on Lakeshore concludes with fireworks at 9 p.m. that explode over the Intracoastal Waterway. Bring a chair or blanket for the viewing.
July 20, 2013
Southern Summer Night
Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce event will feature Classics Recovered Band and J.A.G. Golden Triangle Chef’s Association will prepare a buffet featuring baked chicken and Cajun catfish. Tickets: $30 at (409) 963-1107. Event will benefit Chamber and Port Arthur Seafarers’ Center.
September 7, 2013
Dick Dowling Days
Feel the history. Friends of Sabine Pass Battleground will present Dick Dowling Day, re-creating a Civil War Battle, Sept. 7-8. The weekend of living history camps honors Dick Dowling and his ragtag band of men who bested the Union on Sept. 8, 1863. Bring the family for living history exhibits and reenactments of the famous battle.
September 14, 2013
Mexican Heritage Fiesta
The Mexican Heritage Society of Port Arthur presents the annual Mexican Fiesta in September to celebrate Mexican Independence from Spain. All 
cultures are invited to the colorful affair at the Robert A. “Bob” Bowers Civic Center that often includes a pageant, food booths and folkloric dancing. Bands plan for an evening dance.
Young dancers dress in authentic costumes representing states of Mexico.
Mexican Fiesta, Tony Ramirez, (409) 504-3791 or Robert Moreno at 673-3817.
September 19, 2013
Texas Pecan Festival
To celebrate all the pecan trees in Groves, residents head out to Lions Park for a carnival, vendors and contests. Visitors can usually witness a pie-eating contest, horseshoes and more as bands play and fans line up for foods on a stick. A parade is set for 10 a.m. Sept. 21 in downtown Groves. For details, call Ronnie Boneau at the Groves Chamber of Commerce, (409) 962-3631.
October 12, 2013
CavOILcade Parade, Youth Fishing Tournament
Catch the parade at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 12, in downtown Port Arthur.
CavOILcade is a Port Arthur festival designed to honor the area’s oil industry. It began in 1953 when Port Arthur proclaimed “We Oil the World.” The coronation, conducted a week before the October parade, awards scholarships to senior girls and their escorts. A youth fishing tournament is often part of the fun.
CavOILcade features several private events for princesses and their families. The public may attend a parade set for early October. Some years an old timers/ hat breakfast is scheduled.
For information on CavOILcade, contact Pam Trosclair at 409-983-1009, or 409-498-1793.
November 9, 2013
Pleasure Island Bridge Half Marathon
It’s a big, beautiful bridge and it’s ready for hundreds of runners and
walkers of the Pleasure Island Bridge Half Marathon, 10K & 2-Mile run set for Saturday, Nov. 9
Participants will take on the challenge of the Martin Luther King Bridge to Pleasure Island in Port Arthur, Texas, a soaring 138 feet above the Sabine-Neches Canal, spanning 5,032 in length. It’s two miles of flat, fast course, according to Richard and Amie James, organizers.
For registration information, visit www.sportssocietyforamericanhealth.org and learn more at info@thegushermarathon.com.
December 14, 2013
Port Arthur’s Lighted Cultural
Port Arthur’s Lighted Cultural Parade to sets the holiday mood. Port Arthur is home to several cultures, including Cajun, Hispanic, African-American, Vietnamese and Italian. Representatives of these thriving communities are invited to join in the parade and residents and visitors are encouraged to view the festivities.
The sights and sounds of the parade will be visible along Procter Street in downtown Port Arthur. The parade will begin at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14.
Area bands typically form and a mass choir often performs on the steps of Port Arthur City Hall, 444 Fourth Street in downtown Port Arthur.