Fireworks, music highlight holiday weekend on SPI

Memorial Day weekend marks the traditional start of the summer season on South Padre Island, and this year it will start with a bang and some blues.
The Laguna Madre sky will light up with the first Friday night fireworks show on May 20, which marks the first on the weekly Friday shows that run through Labor Day.
And because of the Memorial Day holiday weekend, another big fireworks show will blast off on Saturday night. The colorful aerial displays will start at 9:15 p.m. each night, with the best viewing areas between Marlin and Red Snapper streets.
The spectacular fireworks displays have earned South Padre Island recognition by the Texas Senate as the Fireworks Capital of Texas.
A free music concert on the beach Sunday evening will feature performances by Texas Johnny Brown and the Island’s own Pelican West. The Red Wine & Blues Concert stage will be set up on the beach in front of Boomerang Billy’s Beach Bar.
Organized by the South Padre Island Parks and Recreation Committee and sponsored by local businesses, the show starts at 8 p.m.
Blues fans will be familiar with Texas Johnny Brown, who has performed in the Valley at Blues on the Hill concerts in Harlingen.
Boomerang Billy’s is also the venue for one of the largest beach volleyball competitions of the year on the Island.
The two-day tournament starts at 11 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday on the beach and will feature teams from throughout Texas competing for top honors in the men’s, women’s and co-ed divisions.
Another annual event at Boomerang Billy’s is the International Idiots Club Memorial Day Boot Camp on Sunday.
Activities start at 1:30 p.m. and patriotic music will be performed by local artist Leslie Blasing.
Hot dogs and chips will be served to current members of the International Idiots Club and to all veterans who can produce evidence of their military service (ID card, VA medical card or discharge documents). A free beer will be issued to the first 100 veterans to arrive. Fellow Idiots are asked to bring cookies for dessert.  
“Military” games have been a tradition of the Idiots Boot Camp, and this year’s schedule includes a water pistol marksmanship competition, water grenade toss, and the obstacle course.
Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place winners in each competition.
If you are not a member of the International Idiots, or your membership has lapsed, you can join or renew during the Boot Camp. Members are then eligible to purchase T-shirts, tank shirts, koozies and lanyards.
While there will plenty of fun during the Memorial Day weekend the real holiday, officially observed on Monday, May 30, is dedicated to remembering the valiant members of the U.S. Armed Services who have died during their service to the country.
Their ultimate sacrifices have helped to secure the freedoms enjoyed in this country, and which make holiday celebrations a part of our way of life.