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Contact: Sandy Jumper VP of Marketing & Promotion [email protected] 361.729.6445

2018 SEAFAIR ANNOUNCES 4 DAYS OF LIVE MUSIC & FAMILY FUN!

NEW “TEJANO NIGHT” WITH ELIDA REYNA ON THURSDAY NIGHT ​ GRAMMY-AWARD-WINNING ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL HEADLINES “COUNTRY NIGHT” ON FRIDAY

SATURDAY EVENING FEATURE THE SPAZMATICS

“120 ARTS & CRAFTS VENDORS and SEAFAIR MARKET” GUMBO COOK-OFF and so much more...

44th Annual Rockport-Fulton Seafair October 11 - 14, 2018 Thursday 5 – 11 p.m. ● Friday 5 – 11 p.m. ● Saturday 10 a.m. – 11 p.m. ● Sunday 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ www.rockportseafair.com

(ROCKPORT and FULTON, TX) The ​ ​ 44th Annual Rockport-Fulton Seafair is bigger and better than ever before! Taking place on October 11-14, 2018 over 4-days, the family-oriented event has become a favorite for all citizens of the Coastal Bend and South Texas. New this year will be a Tejano night featuring Elida Reyna Y Avante. On Friday, you’ll love an amazing laid back appearance with Ray Benson’s Asleep at the Wheel! The ever-popular Spazmatics take audiences back to the 80’s on Saturday night. All throughout the weekend, audiences can enjoy local bands showcasing their talents. On Thursday night Elida Y Avante will highlight the stage. Elida Reyna also known as Elida (born August 17, 1972 in San Antonio, Texas) is an American Tejano music singer. Her band Elida Reyna Y Avante, also known as Elida Y Avante (EYA), is a Latin Grammy Award winning Tejano band formed in the Rio Grande Valley in 1992. Their first two albums "Atrevete" (1994) and "Algo Entero" (1996) were qualified for gold status and produced the popular singles "Luna Llena"and "Lagrimas De Amor". They were awarded "Billboard" Magazines "Revelacion Del Año" award, and were named "Rising Group of the Year" at the TTMA Industry Awards in 1995. Their 2010 album, "Fantasia", earned them a Latin Grammy Award. Lead singer Elida Reyna was given a place in the "Tejano Roots Hall of Fame". headliner for Friday night (Oct. 12) is Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel. Asleep at the “An amazing​ Wheel is an American country music group based in Austin, Texas. The band has won nine Grammy Awards since their 1970 inception, released over 20 albums, and has charted more than 20 singles on the billboard country charts. Their highest-charting single, "The Letter That Johnny Walker Read", peaked at No. 10 in 1975. In 2003, Benson released his first solo album entitled Beyond Time. More recently, the Dixie Chicks were nominated for an award for Vocal Event of the Year for "Roly Poly" with Asleep at the Wheel from the Country Music Association. The band also toured with Bob Dylan and . Benson recorded a tribute to Wills and Texas swing music, including Dwight Yoakam, Vince Gill, Merle Haggard, the Dixie Chicks, and Willie Nelson. They were scheduled to play at the White House on the fateful September 11, 2001. In 2003, the band released Live at Billy Bob's Texas, and by the end of the decade, the band had released two more albums: Reinventing the Wheel and Santa Loves to Boogie. Asleep at the Wheel has received numerous Austin Music Awards, including Band of the Year, Songwriter of the Year (Benson), Country Band of the Year, Record Producer of the Year (Benson), Male Vocals of the Year (Benson), and Acoustic Guitar Player of the Year (McQueen). On Saturday night (Oct. 13), the Spazmatics are back! This ever-popular and ultimate 80's new wave cover band performs with all the awesome sounds, styles, and way cool and geeky dance steps from the decade we'd love to forget, but just can’t and won’t. This evening promises to transport audience members back to days gone by, but not forgotten! In addition, the festival will feature a sea-themed parade, diverse arts and crafts shopping, wildly popular crab races, a gumbo cookoff, water activities such as Cardboard Boat races and Kayak race competition, festival rides and games. An Aransas County Appreciation Day will be held on Sunday. Students from Aransas County Independent School District will enjoy free passes to the Sunday event.

ABOUT ROCKPORT-FULTON SEAFAIR … Seafair celebrates its 44th Anniversary by welcoming autumn’s arrival at what we call the “Charm of the Texas Coast.” This year’s entertainment for Thursday Evening will feature Tejano music. Friday is an evening of Country Music with Ray Benson’s Asleep at the Wheel. On Saturday, the always-entertaining Spazmatics will be the featured act. Previous Seafair headliners have included Shania Twain, Bruce Robison and , Restless Heart, Shenandoah, Bryan White, Mark Chesnutt and Joe Diffie. The Rockport-Fulton Chamber of Commerce is proud to be working diligently in the revitalization of the economy and rebuilding Rockport-Fulton after the destruction caused by Hurricane Harvey. The outpouring of support and assistance by people in our community, near and afar has been a true showing of American pride. It is with extreme gratitude that we present to you this fabulous festival each year.

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