Hotel Galvez planning centennial celebration

You’ve probably noticed there has been a lot of construction at Hotel Galvez recently.

Drive by the hotel and you will see new windows, new green space (centennial green), new landscaping and a new look at Beach Central (formerly the Moody Civic Center).

All of this work has been in preparation for the centennial anniversary of Hotel Galvez & Spa.

The hotel owners — George Mitchell and the Mitchell family — have decided to mark this milestone by hosting a free community celebration Friday through Sunday.

Activities begin Friday with Flamenco dancers and Spanish guitar in the lobby of the hotel from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.

On Saturday, we invite you to join us on the hotel grounds for family fun and entertainment. The hotel is setting up seven tents on the grounds of the hotel filled with activities.

Families can enjoy puppet and marionette shows from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Four one-hour shows are scheduled throughout the day starting on the hour.

Guests also will enjoy clowns, face painting and a “Sweets Shoppe.” Artist Boat is coordinating a paint-by-number mural project, and Texas A&M University at Galveston’s Seacamp Program is providing hands-on sea-life activities.

During the day from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., you also can meet Gabrielle McNeese. Her art was chosen for the Hotel Galvez commemorative poster.

Across the street at Beach Central, we have concerts scheduled from noon to 9 p.m. Bands include Judd Johnson, Lucky Tubb & Modern Day Troubadours, the Ezra Charles Band, Wayne “The Train” Hancock and Radiostar.

We also are pleased to have state Rep. Craig Eiland, D-Galveston, attending and reading a proclamation at noon. He will read a state proclamation followed by a city proclamation read by Galveston Mayor Joe Jaworski in honor of the hotel’s centennial.

Saturday’s celebration will end with a spectacular fireworks show over the Gulf of Mexico at 9:15 p.m. Make sure you find a good spot to watch the fireworks. This is the Mitchells’ gift to the city and our visitors.

If you are still in the mood for live music Sunday, Mike Dean, with Yaga’s Entertainment, is sponsoring a concert by The Line-Up and a children’s play area from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Beach Central.

During June, we invite you to see our life-size paper Flamenco dress on display in the lobby of the hotel. We also encourage you to visit our new Hall of History, a permanent exhibit located in the lower level of the hotel. The exhibit always is open for public viewing.

We commend the Mitchells for their commitment to Hotel Galvez & Spa. When the Mitchells bought the hotel in 1993, they definitely restored it back to the “Queen of the Gulf.”

We are honored to continue this tradition of outstanding hospitality as we embark on the next 100 years.

Visit www.hotelgalvez100.com for a detailed schedule of activities planned for the centennial weekend celebration.

Steve Cunningham is complex general manager of Hotel Galvez & Spa.