Snowbird Extravaganza welcomes Winter Texans

It’s the peak of Winter Texan season and one of the Rio Grande Valley’s biggest events for these visitors comes to South Padre Island next week.
It’s the annual Snowbird Extravaganza at the South Padre Island Convention Centre on Tuesday and Wednesday, Feb. 7-8, and the event typically draws thousands of winter visitors, mostly from Canada.
The free event runs from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day and features live entertainment, interactive workshops, exhibits and a hospitality center.
The entertainment lineup includes performers like Walter Ostanek, Jimmy Flynn, Bowser and Blue, Tom Leadbeater, Sean Emery and Keith Ross, all names well known in Canada.
This will be the 13th year for the South Texas venue organized by the Canadian Snowbird Association, which holds similar events  in Florida and Arizona.
In addition to entertainment, the extravaganza is a consumer show, with exhibits showcasing products and services suited to the lifestyle of Winter Texans.
A free Internet Café will be set up with technicians on hand to answer questions about Winter Texans in cyberspace.
In addition to connecting Canadians through events like the Snowbird Extravaganza, CSA also advises Canadians on such matters as keeping their passports in order and familiarizing travelers with U.S. laws. The organization also acts as liaison with Canada for those outside the country.