Corpus Christi Bayfront
A small group of businessmen on what is now Corpus Christi Beach celebrated the opening of the summer tourist season in 1917 with a bathing beauty contest and picnic called "Splash Days." In 1938, the Corpus Christi Beach Association, sponsor of this event, decided to stage a bigger and more elaborate celebration based on the history and legend of the days of long ago when pirate ships haunted the waters of the Gulf and preyed on merchantmen.
Capture of the city by bold swash-buckling pirates, arriving in a fleet of galleons was the central theme of the celebration. After making a stronghold of the city and capturing its most beautiful maidens, the pirates would state a parade of their spoils. In order to stage an event of this caliber, the Beach Association enlisted the support of five service clubs. The presidents of those clubs - the Rotary Club, the Kiwanis Club, the Lions Club, the Optimist Club, the Booshu Club, and the North Kiwanis Club - were appointed to head the Buccaneer Commission with the Assistant Manager of the Chamber of Commerce named as Secretary. Headquarters of the Commission was established on the mezzanine floor of the Nueces Hotel.
The first Buccaneer Days Celebration was staged in June 1938. That year marked the 100th anniversary of the arrival in South Texas of Col. Henry L. Kinney, the founder of Corpus Christi. By 1955, the expanded three-day patchwork program was floundering financially and in danger of being abandoned. An experienced professional manager was hired and the April/May dates were selected to stimulate business during the lull between the winter and summer tourist season.
In 1996, the Buccaneer Commission established a four-year scholarship to Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi for the winner of the Miss Buc Days contest. The candidate must be in top 20% of their class and demonstrate her potential to best represent Corpus Christi and fulfill her duties to the Buccaneer Commission. The first and second runner-ups will receive $1,500 and $1,000 one-year scholarships, respectively, to the college of their choice.
Board Members are selected from the community who, by virtue of their position or preference, have the interest and the time to serve. A professional manager is responsible for carrying out the policies of the Board and is responsible to them. As a member of both the International Festivals and Events Association and the Texas Festival Association, the Buccaneer Commission is able to exchange information and experiences with other civic organizations across the nation. This assures that Corpus Christi maintains a streamlined, smooth-running and financially secure operation.