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It’s been two years since the last Friends of the River (FOR) San Bernard’s "escape to the tropics” theme fundraiser. Six weeks prior to the October 2017 event, Hurricane Harvey “reined” in the affair after 50 inches of rain fell along the Texas coast. Now, a year later, there are still areas of devastation along the San Bernard showing the effects of Harvey’s wrath but the river population is ready to move on for some fun. The rescheduled 2017, now the 2018 “Party in ParrotDise” is just that, a fundraiser party for basically pretty normal people with a slight strain of hurricane insanity and a need for something happy that vaguely reminds them of a tropical island. “Party in ParrotDise”, Sat Oct 6th, 6:00 pm is the answer.

 

Attendees are encouraged to wear their brightest tropical outfits –– Hawaiian shirts, colorful muumuus, hula skirts, flip-flops and wacky hats. Don’t bother with a lei, you will be greeted with one as you enter, along with a tiny tiki cocktail to savor.

 

FOR won’t be cleaning fish next to the river but thanks to that popular song with cheeseburger in the title, plus grilled chicken, baked beans, fried okra salad, and key lime pie bars will be on the menu. Various adult beverages, ice tea, and water, will be served. A live auction is planned after the meal. 

 

Tickets are $20 each, purchased before the event, or $25 each, at the door the night of the event. Call Ticket Committee Chairman Brett 713.206.5866 for more information.

 

The fundraising event is held to support the programs of FOR that includes the Environmental Commitee’s public education programs held at the FOR Community Center. They are free and open to the public and cover subjects such as Master Gardener programs, care and maintenance of septic systems, boating safety training, a fish catch‘em and cook‘em class, care and maintenance of water wells, fire safety, and bird identification. Program subject matter changes yearly.

 

Other FOR programs include Adopt-a-Highway cleanup of two miles of FM 2611 at the Churchill bridge, annual river cleanups, monthly Texas Stream Team water quality testing, and bottled water at Brazoria County Day in Austin. Involvement with the youth living in the San Bernard watershed includes the FOR River Ranger program for fifth grade science students and six $1,000 scholarships for graduating high school Seniors living in the area. 

 

There’s a line in a Jimmy Buffet song that says, “If a hurricane doesn't kill you, it’ll only make you strong!” See you all on Saturday October 6th, 6:00 pm at the “Party in ParrotDise".