Saturday, May 23rd, 2026 | 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
at the Rockport Conference Center
106 South Austin Street, Rockport, Texas
Step into a warm May evening with the sky glowing in soft twilight, welcoming tent lights, and the hum of laughter and live music filling the air. A wave of cool air washes over you, a cold drink finds its way into your hand, and everywhere you look, friends and neighbors are gathering, dressed in their summer best, for an unforgettable night of revelry. This is The Patron Party. The unofficial start of summer on the Coastal Bend and a night where community, celebration, and purpose come together under the stars.
This year, we’re reaching even greater heights with our theme, Stars, Stripes & Guiding Lights; an upbeat, red-white-and-blue affair filled with energy, elegance, and heart. Guests will enjoy complimentary valet parking, live musical entertainment, an open bar, and a three-course gourmet dinner from fan favorite, Marco’s, followed by exciting live and silent auctions.
More than just a spectacular social event, the Patron Party fuels the Texas Maritime Museum’s educational programs, operations, and exhibits, ensuring that future generations understand and appreciate the importance of our rich maritime heritage. When you place a bid, share a toast, or simply gather with friends beneath the lights, you’re helping keep that legacy shining bright.
Stars, Stripes & Details That Delight!
From the moment you arrive, every detail of the Patron Party is thoughtfully curated to create an effortless, unforgettable experience, from the lighthouse-inspired decor and energetic live music to the carefully curated dinner and engaging auction items.
Whether you’re savoring a handcrafted cocktail, bidding on a one-of-a-kind experience, or simply enjoying the company of fellow supporters, you’ll find that each moment is crafted to make you feel appreciated and inspired.
We invite you to explore the many special features that will make this evening so extraordinary:
To ensure a seamless and elegant arrival at the Texas Maritime Museum Grounds, complimentary valet parking will be provided for all guests courtesy of Harbor Parking. Simply pull up to the grounds entrance, located on Chamber Drive, and enjoy the evening from the moment you arrive.
After valet, guests will be welcomed in the comfortably air conditioned tent where our team of volunteers will direct you to your table.
There you will find a custom-printed and personalized event program. This beautifully designed keepsake is more than just a guide to the evening, it also serves as your official bid card for the exciting live auction following dinner. Be sure to keep it close at hand throughout the night, as you won’t want to miss your chance to bid on exclusive items and experiences while supporting the museum’s mission.
Make your way to the open bar where guests will be able to sip classic favorites or try new concoctions throughout the evening. You’ll be able to enjoy a curated selection of fine wines, liquors and handcrafted cocktails as you socialize and savor your meal.
Don’t forget to explore the exciting Silent Auction Area, where a wide variety of unique items and unforgettable experiences await your bid.
Silent auction bids can be placed until 9:00 PM. At that time, our crew of volunteers will guide the winning bidders through the payment and collection process.
Important Note:
All silent auction payments must be made the night of the event. We gladly accept cash, check, or credit card, though please note a 3.99% processing fee applies to all credit card transactions.
Back by popular demand, The Emotions return to the Patron Party stage after delivering one of the most talked-about highlights of our 2025 celebration. Their high-energy live performance had the dancers at the stage and the crowd cheering for more, and we’re thrilled to welcome them back.
Covering everything from current and classic country hits to rock, pop, and crowd favorites across the decades, The Emotions know exactly how to read a room and keep the momentum going all night long. Their dynamic sound and infectious stage presence set the tone for an unforgettable evening, so be ready to sing along, dance to the music, and celebrate in true Patron Party style.
Prepare to indulge in a truly delightful dining experience. Guests will be treated to a gourmet three-course plated dinner crafted by Chef Marco and his team at Marco & Co. Catering.
Bon appétit!
Get ready for the excitement of our Live Auction, beginning at approximately 8:00 PM! This is your chance to bid on an exceptional collection of one-of-a-kind items and unforgettable experiences, all while supporting the vital mission of the Texas Maritime Museum.
Every dollar bid goes directly toward preserving Texas’s maritime history, supporting educational programs, and maintaining the Museum’s exhibits and conservation efforts. Your generosity helps keep our stories alive, so bid high and bid often!
Important Note:
All live auction payments must be made the night of the event. We gladly accept cash, check, or credit card, though please note a 3.99% processing fee applies to all credit card transactions. For higher-value items, that fee can add up, so if you’re planning to go big, don’t forget your checkbook!
Let the bidding begin, and thank you for your support!
The Patron Party calls for summer chic styles effortless, polished, and ready for a warm evening under the lights.
Guests who’d like to embrace the theme are invited to draw inspiration from our theme, Stars, Stripes & Guiding Lights. Think a hint of Americana with classic reds, whites, and blues, subtle stripes, nautical nods, or lighthouse-inspired details. Whether you lean timeless and elegant or playful and patriotic, make it comfortable, confident, and ready to dance the night away.
Above all, wear something that makes you feel great and ready to celebrate summer in style.
Can’t make it to the Party? You can still be a part of this unforgettable evening by making a donation in support of the Texas Maritime Museum or by purchasing Advertising Space in our event program.
Your contribution, no matter the amount, helps us preserve our state’s rich maritime heritage, expand our educational programs, and protect our historic collections for generations to come.
Every dollar makes a difference, and your support ensures that the Texas Maritime Museum continues to inspire all who walk through our doors.
Thank you for standing with us in our mission, even from afar.
Being a Star Sponsor for the Patron Party offers a unique opportunity to elevate your business’s brand while making a meaningful impact in the community. By aligning your company with a high-profile event, benefiting an esteemed non-profit organization like the Texas Maritime Museum, you enhance your visibility among a targeted audience of influential local leaders and potential clients, boosting your brand’s reputation and fostering goodwill.
This strategic partnership not only showcases your commitment to education and historical preservation, but also positions your business as a community-focused leader, creating positive associations that can drive customer loyalty and open doors to new opportunities. Your support at any level will be recognized and celebrated, amplifying your company’s presence and demonstrating that your values extend beyond the bottom line.
- A private table at the event, seating eight (8) guests
- Complimentary valet parking
- Gourmet plated three-course meal
- Access to open bar
- Sponsor name or logo included on the event webpage, social media thank you posts, and event-related email blasts
- Sponsor name or logo included on select event signage and in the event program
- Complimentary 1/4 page ad in the event program
Want to be part of the celebration and support the Texas Maritime Museum as an individual? An individual ticket is the perfect way to join the fun while making a meaningful impact.
You’ll enjoy the full Patron Party experience, all while helping advance the Museum’s educational programs, exhibits, and operations.
However you choose to participate, your presence helps keep our Texas maritime heritage shining bright.
- One individual seat at a shared table*
- Complimentary valet parking
- Gourmet plated three-course meal
- Access to open bar
*We will make every attempt to honor seating requests, however, placement at a specific table cannot be guaranteed. Corporate members are eligible for a limited number of 1/2 priced individual tickets (Sloop – 5 tickets; Ketch – 10 tickets; Schooner – 15 tickets; Frigate – 25 tickets)
A select number of Guiding Lights underwriting opportunities are available for this year’s Patron Party, offering a unique way to make a lasting impact while gaining meaningful visibility. As an underwriter, your support directly enhances the guest experience and helps offset event costs, allowing more funds to go toward the museum’s mission of preserving and sharing maritime history.
This year, we are offering just three exclusive underwriting opportunities:
Help us create the perfect party atmosphere ,rain or shine, by serving as a Tent Underwriter. The tent is more than just a beautiful centerpiece of the evening; it provides essential shelter from the elements and ensures guests stay cool and comfortable with air conditioning, even while the celebration heats up.
As a Tent Underwriter, you play a vital role in making the event seamless and enjoyable for everyone in attendance. Your support quite literally creates the space where memories are made, where friends gather, music plays, and generosity shines under the stars. It’s a highly visible, high-impact way to demonstrate your commitment to the Texas Maritime Museum and to the success of the Patron Party.
You’ll receive:
- A private table at the event, seating eight (8) guests
- Complimentary valet parking
- Gourmet plated three-course meal
- Access to open bar
- Underwriter name or logo included on the event webpage, social media thank you posts, and event-related email blasts
- Underwriter name or logo included on select event signage and in the event program
- Complimentary full page ad in the event program
- Complimentary one-year Texas Maritime Museum Corporate Membership at the Sloop Level
Keep the energy high and the dance floor full as our Entertainment Underwriter. This year, we’re thrilled to welcome back a crowd-favorite band, The Emotions, by popular demand. Their music sets the tone for the entire evening, from the first notes of arrival to the last song under the stars.
As the Entertainment Underwriter, you make the celebration come alive. Your support ensures a vibrant atmosphere where guests connect, celebrate, and stay on their feet long after dinner is served. It’s a dynamic and highly visible way to champion the Texas Maritime Museum while helping create the joy, momentum, and memories that define the Patron Party.
You’ll receive:
- A private table at the event, seating eight (8) guests
- Complimentary valet parking
- Gourmet plated three-course meal
- Access to open bar
- Underwriter name or logo included on the event webpage, social media thank you posts, and event-related email blasts
- Underwriter name or logo included on select event signage and in the event program
- Complimentary full page ad in the event program
- Complimentary one-year Texas Maritime Museum Corporate Membership at the Sloop Level
Raise a glass to one of the most popular gathering spots of the night. As a Bar Underwriter, you help keep spirits high and conversations flowing from the first toast to the final cheers. The bar is where friends reconnect, new connections are made, and celebratory moments naturally unfold.
Your support ensures a seamless hospitality experience for every guest, adding to the welcoming, festive atmosphere that defines the Patron Party. It’s a lively, high-visibility opportunity to support the Texas Maritime Museum while being associated with one of the evening’s most social and spirited highlights. Cheers to that!
You’ll receive:
- A private table at the event, seating eight (8) guests
- Complimentary valet parking
- Gourmet plated three-course meal
- Access to open bar
- Underwriter name or logo included on the event webpage, social media thank you posts, and event-related email blasts
- Underwriter name or logo included on select event signage and in the event program
- Complimentary full page ad in the event program
- Complimentary one-year Texas Maritime Museum Corporate Membership at the Sloop Level
Promote your business, share your message, or show your support by advertising in the Patron Party program. Whether you’re joining us for the celebration or cheering from afar, a full-color program ad is a meaningful way to be part of the evening and align your name with one of the community’s most anticipated events.
Custom printed and distributed to each attendee, the program offers valuable visibility among engaged supporters, local leaders, and friends of the Texas Maritime Museum. It’s an opportunity to showcase your brand, honor someone special, or simply demonstrate your commitment to preserving and celebrating our maritime heritage.
Can’t attend this year? Your ad ensures your presence is still felt, and your support still makes an impact.
Ad sizes:
- Full Page – $200
- 1/2 Page – $150
- 1/4 Page – $75
Program art is due by 5/13/2026. Don’t have artwork? Contact admin@texasmaritimemuseum.org for design assistance at no extra cost.
One of the most exciting moments of the Patron Party happens when generosity takes center stage. By making a cash donation or contributing merchandise or unique experiences to our Live and Silent Auctions, you help power the energy of the evening while directly supporting the Texas Maritime Museum’s educational initiatives, exhibits, and operations.
Auction packages and experiences spark friendly competition, inspire enthusiastic bidding, and create memorable moments long after the night ends. From one-of-a-kind experiences and exclusive services to curated gift packages or monetary gifts that strengthen our mission, every contribution adds momentum to the cause.
Whether you’re attending or supporting from afar, your donation helps turn celebration into impact, ensuring our maritime heritage continues to be preserved and appreciated for generations to come.
Join us in supporting Texas Maritime Museum, the Official Maritime Museum of the State of Texas, as a guest at Patron Party 2026: Stars, Stripes & Guiding Lights.
For over 35 years, the Texas Maritime Museum has captivated visitors from all across Texas and beyond with engaging exhibits and educational programs, and worked stridently to ensure that the rich maritime history of our state is preserved. Your contribution helps to provide much-needed funds that will directly support our mission to educate, curate, and preserve Texas’ maritime history for today and posterity.
Sign up as a sponsor, underwriter, or ticket holder today to ensure your place at Patron Party 2026, and in the history of our
esteemed organization.
* To reserve your space offline, sponsorship forms are available for download here, or can be completed in person at the Texas Maritime Museum Administrative Office. Payments of cash or check can be made there Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Payments via check can also be submitted by mail to Texas Maritime Museum, 1202 Navigation Circle, Rockport, TX 78382. For more information, call (361) 729-1271.
All proceeds for this event support the Texas Maritime Museum. The Texas Maritime Museum is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization. Your Gift may be tax-deductible. Please print or take a screenshot of the confirmation screen for your records.