Free Boat Tours of the Port of Brownsville for Its 90th Birthday, Saturday Oct. 17

The port opens its gates for a free community celebration with boat and bus tours, a Kids Port and free food. Tour seats are first come, first served.

Reyes Castillo Jr

Oct 7, 2026

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Most of us have driven past the Port of Brownsville a hundred times. Very few of us have seen it from the water.

On Saturday, Oct. 17, you can. The Port of Brownsville is holding its 90th Anniversary Grand Community Celebration from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Port of Brownsville Business Park, 1000 Foust Road, and admission is free.

The day includes free boat and bus tours of the port, a Kids Port activity area, live entertainment, free food, equipment exhibits and displays from harbor partners across the region.

The port only throws this party every five years. The last one, for its 85th anniversary in 2021, drew about 4,000 people.

The tours are the part to plan for. Seats are free but limited, and registration is first come, first served. Once the seats are gone, registration closes. Check in at least 30 minutes before your tour, or you may lose your spot, and tours can be canceled for weather.

Before you go: the port is a secured area. Adults need a valid government-issued photo ID to get in, and kids must be with an adult.

The details:

When: Saturday, Oct. 17, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where: Port of Brownsville Business Park, 1000 Foust Road, Brownsville

Cost: Free, including the tours (registration required for tours)

Bring: A photo ID for every adult

Flyer and details: Port of Brownsville

Port of Brownsville 90th Anniversary Grand Community Celebration

	Date	Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026
	Time	8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
	Location	Port of Brownsville Business Park, 1000 Foust Road, Brownsville
	Price	Free (tour registration required)

	1000 Foust Road, Brownsville, TX 78521
	(956) 525-2067

Reserve free tour seats

Tour times and the full FAQ are on the Port of Brownsville's 90th Anniversary page.

Trivia Question❓

The Port of Brownsville just turned 90. What did it mostly ship when it opened in 1936?

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter

💡 Answer to Trivia Question:

Valley-grown citrus and cotton, headed to markets overseas. The port opened on May 16, 1936. Today it is the only deepwater seaport directly on the U.S.-Mexico border.