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Flippin' and Floppin'

Port Lavaca festival brings community out to celebrate with sandals

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  • BY J.R. ORTEGA - JRORTEGA@VICAD.COM
  • Originally published September 5, 2009 at 10:24 p.m., updated September 8, 2009 at 10:53 a.m.

  • PLANS FOR NEXT YEAR

    Make event a two-day weekend festival

    Have a women's heels and reels fishing tournament

    Have more vendors and more events and games

    Expand to cover larger section of peninsula

    Source: Lacey Ekberg

PORT LAVACA - The day's forecast called for 90-degree weather, food, music and flip flops. Plenty of flip flops.

The city held its first ever Flip Flop festival on the Bayfront Peninsula Saturday.

Though the event was not as large as other longer-running Festivals, the event was far from a flop.

"It's controlled chaos, but it's good," said Lacey Ekberg, Chamber of Commerce director. "It's definitely pretty good for the first year."

Ekberg and several other event organizers set up prior to the event wearing yellow shirts that read, "Don't make me slap you with my flip flop."

One organizer even had on homemade flip flops, which had the thong part of a sandal, but the high top of a boot.

"We just wanted to start this real small this year and work out all the bugs," Ekberg said.

Patricia Trevino and her Port Lavaca business, Allure, spent the day out on the peninsula.

  • How many pairs of flip flops do you own?

    • 0 24% 13 votes
    • 1-2 25% 14 votes
    • 3-5 13% 7 votes
    • More than 5 38% 21 votes

    55 total votes.

Trevino was one of more than 10 vendors at the event.

Originally, only six vendors were officially signed up for the event, but call-ins came and vendors were told to register early Saturday.

"It's a good way for Port Lavaca to spend its weekend," said Trevino, who was selling custom-made flip flops. "I'm pleased to see the vendors out here. We really needed something like this in Port Lavaca."

Trevino's business, which is a bridal boutique, broke down and purchased the flip flops in light of the festival, she said.

"This town has a lot of potential," she said.

Makenzi Arellano, of Victoria, enjoyed the merchandise being sold at the festival.

The 8-year-old had originally asked for an expensive dress at one of the other booths.

"That was not happening," said her father, Cesar, with a smile.

Instead, Cesar bought his daughter a green visor that she had wanted.

Cesar had heard about the event from his brother, who was playing disc jockey before the band Triggerfish arrived.

"We came to support the town. It looks like they're trying to bring the community together, so it's something positive for the community of Port Lavaca," Cesar said.

As the day progressed, there was a horseshoe and washer tournament, fling flong contest and frozen T-shirt contest.

Throughout the day, a "beermobile" trailed around the peninsula making sure the event's patrons were refreshed and enjoying the Labor Day weekend.

"All the best secrets are in Port Lavaca," said Trevino.


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