Downtown Galveston Re-Birth-Day May 29, 2009

Downtown Galveston Re-Birth-Day Celebration Set for May 30

GALVESTON ISLAND, Texas (March 6, 2009) – Downtown Galveston will celebrate its return with a Re-Birth-Day Celebration on Saturday, May 30. The festivities will include street entertainers, live music, Radio Disney, and tours of The Tremont House.

Activities will begin with live music and sidewalk art and entertainment on the 21st to 23rd blocks of Postoffice Street from noon - 2 p.m. The party will move to the 23rd block of Ship’s Mechanic Row in front of The Tremont House from 2 – 4 p.m. for a mini-street party with live entertainment and tours of hotel. Next Radio Disney will broadcast live from 4 – 6 p.m. at Saengerfest Park, 23rd and Strand. Radio Disney will also treat visitors to games and giveaways. Finally, the celebration will move to nearby Pier 21 with live entertainment featuring Greek music and belly dancers on the new deck of Olympia at Pier 21. All areas will be decorated in a birthday theme.

Galveston’s KGBC 1540 AM will broadcast live from the festivities. The Tremont House will reopen to the public in June. Located in the 1879 Leon H. Blum Building in the heart of historic downtown Galveston, the hotel sustained flooding on its first floor following Hurricane Ike’s impact on Sept. 13, 2008. The hotel’s restored lobby and Toujouse Bar area will continue to reflect a European-style hotel. A new stylish cafe featuring Starbucks coffee, a pizza oven and light fare will serve guests. In the evenings, it will transform into a chic wine bar.

Hurricane Ike caused flooding of upward of eight to ten feet of water in downtown Galveston. Once known as the “Wall Street of the Southwest,” Galveston’s famed avenue, The Strand, anchors the historic downtown. Recognized today as a National Historic Landmark for its outstanding collection of 19th century architecture, The Strand is the heart of a vibrant downtown and waterfront offering shopping, dining, museums, entertainment, accommodations and nightlife. This 70-plus block historic downtown includes tree-lined Postoffice Street, home of The Grand 1894 Opera House, art galleries, boutiques, bars, restaurants, and live theater. Visitors also will find an eclectic mix of shops and warehouse galleries along 25th Street.

Downtown Galveston’s Re-Birth-Day Celebration Schedule:
•Postoffice Party Zone, 12 – 2 p.m., 21st – 23rd blocks of Postoffice Street
•Mechanic Party Zone, 2 – 4 p.m., 2300 Ship’s Mechanic Row
•Saengerfest Party Zone, 4 – 6 p.m., 23rd and Strand
•Pier 21 Party Zone, 6 – 8 p.m., Pier 21 off Harborside Drive

The Re-Birth-Day Celebration is sponsored by the Galveston Island Convention & Visitors Bureau, Historic Downtown Galveston Partnership and Mitchell Historic Properties. For more information on the Re-Birth-Day Celebration, call (888) GAL-ISLE or visit the website: http://www.galveston.com

Official Website: http://www.galveston.com