SPECIAL EVENTS

To showcase Galveston’s incredible resiliency and progress just one year after Hurricane Ike, a series of Revival and Reflections events will take place beginning Tuesday, Sept. 8 on the 109th anniversary of the Great 1900 Storm and continue through Sunday, Sept. 13, as Galvestonians, friends, visitors and supporters come together to celebrate “Revival and Reflections… Marking the first anniversary of Hurricane Ike, September 8-13, Galveston Island, Texas.

Just one year after Hurricane Ike devastated this island city – and exactly 109 years since the Great 1900 Storm - the Galveston community comes together to commemorate and reflect on its incredible resiliency and progress with a series of “Revival and Reflections” events. Sponsored by the City of Galveston, the week-long series of activities begin Tuesday, September 8, with two major events: The 2009 United Way Galveston Kickoff Luncheon and Hurricane Ike Volunteer Celebration, 12:00 noon-1:00pm, in the Frances Anne Moody Ballroom at the Moody Gardens Hotel and the Revival and Reflections Opening Ceremony and Torch Relay, beginning at 5.30pm at Fort Crockett Park, 4700 Seawall Blvd.

The special luncheon will launch the 2009 United Way Galveston campaign and honor the many groups and organizations – first responders - that helped Galveston recover from Hurricane Ike. Tickets are $20.00 per person and are available through www.unitedwaygalveston.org The event is open to the public. Doors open at 11.30am. Contributions are also being accepted to pay for tickets for the honorees. For more information and to make a contribution, call the United Way office at 409.762.4357.

Next, the “Revival and Reflections” Opening Ceremony begins at 5.30pm in front of the Great 1900 Storm Sculpture at Fort Crockett Park, 4700 Seawall Blvd. The ceremony will commence with the dedication of the Ofrenda by Galveston Mayor Lyda Ann Thomas. The Ofrenda is a massive wave-like structure constructed of metal that will hold up to 1,500 Ike-related “offerings” that the public can place on the Ofrenda in tribute to - or as a memorial - to the Gulf of Mexico for all that it gives and for all that it can potentially take away. The public is encouraged to bring their contribution –i.e. “offering” to this ceremony, or it can be added at a later date. The Ofrenda -filled with individual offerings/works of art -is expected to be on display through late October.

Following the dedication of the Ofrenda, the Ike Anniversary Choir, under the direction of Dr. Larry T. Patton, will sing “Queen of the Waves” – the same hymn that the nuns sang during The Great 1900 Storm. Betty Massey, chair person for the City of Galveston’s Recovery Committee, will be master of ceremonies for the evening.

The Torch Relay will begin immediately after the choral presentation and will proceed on Seawall Blvd east to 25th street, north on 25th to the Strand, and then east on Strand to Saengerfest Park, 23rd and Strand, where the opening ceremonies will be continued. The public is invited to join the “surge” along 25th Street as the Torch passes.

Torch bearers will include representatives of the Galveston Police Department, Galveston Fire Department, Galveston Emergency Management Service, Galveston Streets and Traffic Service, Galveston Public Works, and Galveston Lifeguard Service/Beach Patrol. In addition other first responders have been invited to participate and may include Galveston County Sheriff’s Department, Jamaica Beach Fire and Police Departments, City of McAllen, City of San Antonio, the American Red Cross, Centerpoint Energy, Texas Gas Service, Galveston Independent School District, U.S. Coast Guard, Salvation Army, Lighthouse Cooking Team, The Jesse Tree, and the Galveston Island Humane Society.

The Opening Ceremony will then continue with The Galvanized Brass, Sparky Koerner, Director. This ensemble will begin performing at 6:30pm in preparation of the “Surge” arrival and will play a final fanfare just in advance of the Color Guard. In conjunction with the presentation of the colors, The Galvanized Brass will accompany the Ike Anniversary Choir as they sing “The Star Spangled Banner”.
Next, Mayor Thomas will address those in attendance and give a brief “State of the City” address highlighting Galveston’s progress during the past year. Immediately following her address, the Ike Anniversary Choir will sing the Navy Hymn “Eternal Father, Strong to Save” and then close the evening’s ceremony with the hymn “Amazing Grace.” Throughout the ceremony, a multi-media presentation of Ike’s fury and aftermath will be shown near the Park’s stage. The torch will remain lighted and on display throughout this evening’s ceremony as well.

City of Galveston-sponsored “Revival and Reflections” events will continue for the community  with special Remembrance Concerts to be held both Wednesday and Thursday evening, from 6:30pm-8:00pm, at Saengerfest Park, 23rd and Strand. On Wednesday evening, music will be provided by the Lance Aldridge Band and Thursday evening, the Galveston Beach Band, under the direction of Frank Incaprera, will perform. Throughout the concerts, the multi-media presentation of Ike’s wrath and destruction, as well as scenes of Galveston’s rebirth and redevelopment will again be presented. The concerts are free and open to the public.

Detailed Schedule of "Revival and Reflection" events:

Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009

* The 2009 United Way Galveston Kickoff Luncheon and Hurricane Ike Volunteer Celebration, 12:00 noon-1:00pm, in the Frances Anne Moody Ballroom at the Moody Gardens Hotel
* "A Salute to Galveston": Moody Mansion Museum, 2618 Broadway. Presented by the Treasure Ball Association September 5-13.
* “Revival and Reflections Opening Ceremony and Torch Relay," beginning at 5.30pm at Fort Crockett Park, 4700 Seawall Blvd.

Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009

* "A Salute to Galveston": Moody Mansion Museum, 2618 Broadway. Presented by the Treasure Ball Association September 5-13.
* Remembrance Concert: 6:30-8pm. Music by the Lance Aldridge Band. Saengerfest Park, 23rd and Strand. Throughout the concert, the multi-media presentation of Ike’s wrath and destruction, as well as scenes of Galveston’s rebirth and redevelopment will again be presented. The concert is free and open to the public.

Thursday, Sept. 10, 2009

* "A Salute to Galveston": Moody Mansion Museum, 2618 Broadway. Presented by the Treasure Ball Association September 5-13.
* Remembrance Concert: 6:30-8pm. Music by the Galveston Beach Band. Saengerfest Park, 23rd and Strand. Throughout the concert, the multi-media presentation of Ike’s wrath and destruction, as well as scenes of Galveston’s rebirth and redevelopment will again be presented. The concert is free and open to the public.

Friday, Sept. 11, 2009

City of Galveston-sponsored “Revival and Reflections” events continue on Friday, Sept.11 with a

* "A Salute to Galveston": Moody Mansion Museum, 2618 Broadway. Presented by the Treasure Ball Association September 5-13.
* 25th & Market Street Revival & Street Party: 25th & Market, 6pm - 10pm. Featuring food, music, and raffles to raise money for replanting of Galveston's trees.
* Remembrance Concert: 6:30pm-8pm. Music by Chameleon. Saengerfest Park, 23rd and Strand. Throughout the concert, the multi-media presentation of Ike’s wrath and destruction, as well as scenes of Galveston’s rebirth and redevelopment will again be presented. The concert is free and open to the public.
* Opening of the “Ike” Quilt Exhibit and Poetry Readings: at The Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice, from 7:00-9:00 pm.

Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009

Saturday, Sept.12 will feature a full-day of “Revival and Reflections” activities that will include a solemn ceremony and documentary showings on the eve of the first of anniversary of Hurricane Ike. In addition, throughout the day a variety of ancillary events are planned to commemorate Ike’s one year anniversary.

* The Mostyn Law Firm Galveston Rebirth Race – 5K Run/Walk. 8:30am. Hosted by the Galveston Historical Foundation. Register at www.galvestonhistory.org.
* Galveston Island State Park Open House: 10:00am-1:00pm at 14528 Stewart Road.
* "A Salute to Galveston": Moody Mansion Museum, 2618 Broadway. Presented by the Treasure Ball Association September 5-13.
* “Warbird Flights and Scenic Air Tours: An Aerial Celebration of Galveston:” 9am-5pm. Lone Star Flight Museum (near Moody Gardens.)
* "Making Tracks to Recovery:" - 10am - 1pm. Galveston Railroad Museum will feature mini-train rides and museum tours. 25th & Strand.
* Artist Studio Tours/Beachtown Open House Photo Exhibit: - 1:00pm -5:00pm. Beachtown, East Beach Drive. . Presented by the Artist Homestead Galveston Island and sponsored by the Galveston Historical Foundation.
* "Celebrate of Endurance" YMCA Benefit: - 3pm - midnight. The event will be held at Crazy Oaks, 12410 Stewart Road.
* “Revival and Reflections” Closing Ceremony: begins at 6pm at Saengerfest Park, 23rd & Strand, with activities throughout the downtown historic district. There will also be a “Shine a Light” Remembrance Walk from Saengerfest Park to The Grand 1894 Opera House. The torch will then be extinguished at The Grand for the final time.
* “Ike: The Documentary” and “The Great 1900 Storm” presentations: Beginning at 6pm at The Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice St. The last showing of “Ike: The Documentary” will begin at 9:30pm.
* The Ninth Annual Paws Gala: “Meowling Bros and Barkum and Bailey Circus:" - Beginning at 7pm at The Galveston Island Convention Center at The San Luis Resort. Benefits Galveston Humane Society.
* "Celebration of Determination" Fireworks Display - Beginning at 9:30pm at 29th & Seawall Boulevard.

Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009

The 6-day “Revival and Reflections” events, ceremonies, and commemorations marking the first anniversary of Hurricane Ike conclude Sunday, Sept. 13 with several events:

* Sunrise Service: Stewart Beach Park Pavilion at 7:00am
* "A Salute to Galveston": Moody Mansion Museum, 2618 Broadway. Presented by the Treasure Ball Association September 5-13.
* "One in a Million Jesse Tree Fundraising Campaign:" - Beginning at 1pm at 25th Street and Seawall Boulevard.
* Citywide “Neighborhood Reconnect 2009” festivities planned and coordinated by individual neighborhoods throughout Galveston
* Galveston Symphony Pops Concert: 7:00pm, Moody Gardens Hotel Ballroom. Admission is free to the public.

To highlight the many “Revival and Reflections” events and activities planned to mark the first anniversary of Hurricane Ike, a 4-page full color newspaper “pull-out” supplement will be included in the Galveston County Daily News’ Sept. 6 edition.
For more information about “Revival and Reflection” events to be held, call the Galveston Island Visitors Center at 888 GAL ISLE (888.425.4753), visit online at www.galveston.com,  www.recoverygalveston.org,  or email to info@galvestoncvb.com.