Once a Dream…Now a Reality! Come Celebrate with the Rockport-Fulton Chamber of Commerce

New Visitor Center and Building Grand Opening

Rockport-Fulton, TX (August 10, 2011) – It is here! The Rockport-Fulton Chamber of Commerce is very proud to bring to you this amazing state of the art Visitor Center and Chamber Offices. The Grand Opening Celebration will be Wednesday, Aug. 17 at 5:30 p.m. at the new 319 Broadway location.

Previously, at a past chairman’s luncheon, over 20 chairmen in the room reflected on all the designs and plans for the building project through the years which ironically reflected its current design. It was Asa Yeamans, past chairman of the Board, who passed away before he could see the finished product. He is the person who stayed consistently with the project for more than 15 years.

The Visitor Center has features that you will not see anywhere else or at any other visitor center on the coast. Every inch has been custom made to inform the visitor of many of the fine features of Aransas County. This entire project would have not come to fruition without the support of the Aransas County Commissioners’ Court and the tremendous volunteer spirit overflowing in our community.

The archway will be the focal point as a visitor enters the building. There is a mural, designed and hand-painted by a local artist; depicting wildlife and the harbor area. A map room will be featured as you enter the Visitor Center showing the entire county and its surrounding bays. As you enter the main visitor area, along the octagonal shape there will be panels featuring our history, birding, art, fishing, education, Aransas Pathways, and attractions. There is a great place for kiddos to be entertained at the Children’s table with coloring books.

A chronicling of our history and historical artifacts will be the first thing you view in the main visitor center. Look for items on loan from the Aransas County Historical Society making the timeline “come alive” with artifacts. Also, a series of fun “Did You Know” floor questions for Visitors to read and learn. Each question depicts history of Aransas County and more.

Through the years, we have learned visitors want to leave with a postcard or two, a map, a guide, a t-shirt or possibly a knick-knack to take back home. Therefore, as the visitor walks around the center they can purchase these items from beautiful display cases. While in this area we have a big flat screen playing a video of everything to do in the area.

A Celebrity Photo Wall, titled “Our Wall of Fame” will feature the following: Ed Harris who was here during the filming of the movie “Alamo Bay”, Tim McGraw when he was here for a concert on the beach, Shania Twain when she was here for Seafair, etc.

The Chairman’s Honor Hall is the largest room in the facility. Frames of photos of all past chairmen of the Chamber decorate the wall. It will also serve as a room for seminars to help businesses grow.

The front porch of the Visitor Center is a reflection place for visitors. There are a total of six secured rocking chairs for visitors to relax and enjoy the view. On each panel section, the visitor will view interpretive signs explaining relevant history crucial to the development of our area. Those plaques will feature: History of the Rockport Harbor, the old Courthouse, the old Bailey Pavilion, the Railroad, information on the formation of Hug the Coast Highway, Hurricane of 1919 and the “Fish Bowl” on the Million Dollar Boat Parade in 1940.

The grounds of the building will feature custom landscaping with an emphasis of native plants of our area. Don’t miss the 6 ft. tall Cast Iron Pelican gracing the exit steps telling everyone “Thank You for Visiting Rockport-Fulton” and ready for that perfect photo opportunity to be digitally spread throughout the world. And to the City of Rockport for allowing Paul Bleicher’s Fountain Project to provide a nice touch to the landscape.

For more information, contact the Rockport-Fulton Chamber of Commerce at 361-729-6445 or visit our website at www.rockport-fulton.org