Pasadena holds home-court edge over Crosby in Tuesday matchup

Story and photo by Chris Price
Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved

PASADENA, TEXAS (October 14, 2025) Tonight at 6:30 p.m., the Pasadena Eagles will host the Crosby Cougars in an important District 18-5A volleyball match. Pasadena comes in with a strong 20–9 record, while Crosby sits at 12–21.

Pasadena has been dominant at home, going 8–4 on their court, and their district play is rocking at 6–2.  Crosby, meanwhile, is 4–5 in district matches and 3–6 in away games.

In their last meeting on September 19, Pasadena defeated Crosby in straight sets: 25-23, 25-19, 25-20. That win gives Pasadena some confidence tonight. But Crosby isn’t a team to count out; they will try to show big improvement.

When you look at the stats, it’s close but leans Pasadena. For kills, Crosby has 838 and Pasadena 871. On serving aces, Crosby has 169, while Pasadena has 197, Pasadena holds a slight edge  In digs, Crosby has 1,659, just ahead of Pasadena’s 1,619

Pasadena will want to use their home crowd and solid serving to pressure Crosby. Crosby must be sharp with passing and staying consistent in rallies if they have hope.

The fans should get a competitive match. I expect Pasadena to pull ahead, but Crosby might make them sweat late.

Pasadena Eagles post 3-0 record in Day One of Jason Lander Volleyball Invitational

By Chris Price
Copyright 2025 All Rights Reserved

AUSTIN, TEXAS (August 14, 2025)  Pasadena High School when into the first round of the Austin ISD Jason Lander Invitational Volleyball Tournament with a 1-0 record after defeating Galveston Ball 3-1 on Tuesday. After their matches on Thursday, they increased their 2025 season record to 4-0 after downing all three of their opponents. 

In their first match, they posted a 2-0 win (25-6, 25-15) over Austin Travis. The Lady Eagles followed with two 2-1 victories over El Paso  (25-18, 17-25, 29-27) and L.D. Bell (19-25, 25-18, 25-16). Pasadena placed first in Group 5 play.

As a results of their Thursday success, the Lady Eagles advanced to Day 2 play on Friday and are slated play Austin LBJ ECHS at 11 a.m. They will follow with a 1 p.m. match against SA Jefferson; closing the day with a 3 p.m. showdown with Vista Ridge.

Austin LBJ ECHS posted finished second in Group 4 with a 3-0 record. Jefferson also placed second in Group 2 with a 3-0 record, while Vista Ridge went 3-0, for a first-place finish in Group 6.

All Friday games will be played at Austin ISD's Burger Center.

Pasadena drops close match to Kingwood Park in UIL volleyball action

Submitted photo, Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved

By Chris Price

Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved

PASADENA, TEXAS (October 10, 2024) In a match that was closer than the scoreboard indicated, the No. 4 Pasadena Lady Eagles dropped a four-set match by the score of 3-1 to the No. 3 ranked Kingwood Park Panthers at Barfield Gymnasium in Pasadena.

The Lady Eagles (18-11) started the match with a 25-22 win before dropping the final three sets 21-25, 22-25, and 23-25. The loss dropped Pasadena to 3-4 in District 18-5A play but still retained their fourth place standings in district play; keeping the prospect of a 2024 playoff berth alive.

Previously this season, on September 17, the Lady Eagles faced off against the Panthers at Kingwood Park, falling in straight sets 25-27, 17-25, 18-25. The Panthers are 4-2 in district matches. Pasadena has a bye on October 15 before traveling to Crosby on Friday, October 18 with a 6:30 p.m. start. On September, the Eagles and Cougars faced off in district play in Pasadena. In the match, which went to five sets, the Lady Eagles posted a 3-2 win (26-24, 25-16, 19-25, 12-25, 15-10).

The remainder of the regular season will see Pasadena play West Fork on October 22 and Porter on October 29. In between those matches, they will travel to Dayton on October 25. UIL Playoffs will begin on November 1.

Pasadena HS Volleyball downs Fort Bend Marshall on all levels

Photo by Kristine Kelly, Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved

By Chris Price
Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved

MISSOURI CITY, TEXAS (September 1, 2023) The Pasadena High School Eagles volleyball teams travelled to Fort Bend Marshall on Friday afternoon to kick off their September schedule of games on all three levels of competition (freshmen, junior varsity, and varsity). The Eagles swept the Buffalos in straight sets in all levels.

Beginning with the freshmen squad, the Eagles came out on top by the scores of 25-17 and 25-13. There match was followed by the junior varsity, who also downed the Buffalos 27-25 and 25-14. The varsity concluded the evening with a three-set win; 25-16, 25-8, and 25-12.

The straight sets win for all the squads was the first of the season for the Eagles. Next up for the volleyball teams from Pasadena High School is a Tuesday, September 5 matchup against Baytown Sterling at Bob Barfield Gymnasium in Pasadena. 

Local swimmers find success at TAAF Games of Texas Summer State Championships

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2021 All Rights Reserved

CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS (July 30, 2021) Two local Pasadena/Deer Park-area swimmers concluded their summer comeptitve season at the 2021 Texas Amateur Athletic Federation (TAAF) Games of Texas Summer State Swimming Championships in Corpus Christi, Texas. The competiton was held at the Corpus Christi Independent School District Natatorium and saw swimmers from around Texas vie for gold, silver and bronze medals.

Nicholas Brown (shown left) and Levi Del Angel (shown above) competed in the boys 13-14 age group and came home with five top 10 finished in their events. Del Angel, who will be a freshman at Pasadena Memorial High School competed in three events while Brown (shown left), who is also an incoming freshman, at First Baptist Christian Academy in Pasadena, swam two events.

Del Angel placed fifth in all three of his events; 100-yard freestyle with the time of  53.91 seconds, 50-yard freestyle (:24.89) and 100-yard individual medley (1:03.02). Brown placed seventh in the 50-yard bresaststroke (:34.91) and ninth in the 50-yard freestyle (:25.76).  

After his competition session, Brown stated,

"Being in Corpus was lots of fun, swimming against good competition was fun.  After the races he enjoyed eating at the Whataburger by the Bay.   I have been to State Games before and every time I have been I enjoyed it." 

Prior to the state championships, both young men competed in the TAAF Region 14 Swimming Championships at Katy High School in Katy, Texas. Del Angel won gold medals in all three of his events; 100-yard freestyle (55.60), 50-yard freestyle (:25.21), and 100-yard individual medley (1:05.28). Brown won the region title in the 100-yard breaststroke (:34.03) and took a silver medal in the 50-yard freestyle (:25.64).

The 2021 and 2022 TAAF Games of Texas are hosted by the City of Corpus Christi.

Escape, Bag of Donuts kick off Friday enetrtainment at Pasadena Strawberry Festival

Bag of Donuts will take to the main stage at the
Pasadena Strawberry Festival at 10 p.m.
on Friday, May 12, 2019.
Photo courtesy of Bag of Donuts and Jonathan Hoerner.

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved

PASADENA, TEXAS (April 26, 2019) Escape and Bag of Donuts will kick off opening night entertainment at the 46th Annual Pasadena Strawberry Festival on Friday, May 12, 2019. Both musical acts will perform on the main stage of the Pasadena Municipal Fairgrounds in Pasadena.

Beginning the evening's entertainment will be Escape, who are billed as a "Journey" Tribute Band. Members include Tom Calandra on vocals, Bobby Cayton (bass/vocals), Joel Gregoire (guitar/vocals), Josh Howe (keyboards/vocals) and Wesley Murrell on drums. The group was founded in 2000 and has performed at numerous venues and events in the Houston and Texas Gulf Coast area. They will perform from 8 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. to begin the enetrtainment for the evening.

Taking the stage at 10 p.m. will be Bag of Donuts from New Orleans, Louisiana. They are described on their Facebook page as follows.

There is a visual history in New Orleans culture. Mardi Gras Indians, street parades, make-up, costumes, Carnival, city art, artists both local and transplant alike are only a small portion of the rich tradition. The world renowned music scene has given birth to such art and much has been documented as to it's importance in wider pop culture. Enter Bag of Donuts.The New Orleans based quartet have been engaged in such endeavors for over two decades. Having celebrated their 25th anniversary in 2012, the momentum only seems to be building. Along with their flair for kabuki make-up and extravagant costumes, the four New Orleans natives cover songs in a style they have branded as Superpop: Any song popular from any era. Their flamboyant performances are a combination of ultimate showmanship, call and response audience participation, visual ingenuity, professional musicianship and pure entertainment with a nod to the comedy gods.

The band consists of lead vocal Bobby Hoerner, who also plays cowbells and percussion, Jonathan Hoerner on guitar and vocals Jerry Christopher, Jr., bass and vocals, and Kevin George on drums and sample pad.

Discount admission tickets can be purchased at www.strawberryfestival.com with free parking available at San Jacinto College.

46th Pasadena Strawberry Festival begins Friday, May 17

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved

PASADENA, TEXAS (April 21, 2019) The 46th Annual Pasadena Strawberry Festival, scheduled for May 17-19, 2019, promises three days of fun-filled enetrtainment, activities, and events at the Pasadena Municipal Fairgrounds, located at 7902 Fairmont Parkway in Pasadena, Texas. This year's events include three days of concerts, along with carnival rides and games, a petting zoo, in addition to a car, truck and motorcycle show, and the world's largest strawberry shortcake.

The festival begin on Friday, May 17, from 3 p.m. until 12 midnight. Saturday, May 18 activities will begin at 10 a.m. and end, again, at 12  midnight. Sunday, May 19 events will run from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.

On the main stage, entertainment is scheduled for all three days, beginning on Friday with Escape, a Journey tribute band from 8-9:30 p.m. Following at 10 p.m., Bag of Donuts will perform a one-and-a-half hour concert.

Saturday sees four performers taking the stage; including Justin Taylor (3:30-5:30 p.m.), Dalton Domino (6-7:30 p.m.), Randall King (8-9:30 p.m.) with Josh Ward rounding out the evening's enetrtainment from 10-11:30 p.m. The Samy Jo Band will preform on Sunday from 3-5 p.m.

Free parking will be available at San Jacinto College with free shuttle rides from the college to the fairgrounds. Discount admission tickets can be purchased at www.strawberryfestival.com.

Pasadena Livestock Show and Rodeo scheduled for September 11-19, 2015

By Robert H Kelly

Copyright 2015 TexSport Publications

PASADENA, TEXAS (August 14, 2015)The 66th annual Pasadena Livestock Show and Rodeo is scheduled for September 11-19, 2015 at the Pasadena Convention Center and Rodeo Grounds. Rodeo and country music fans from Pasadena and the Houston, Texas area will converge into the Houston suburb for nine days and nights of action.

Traditional rodeo events, along with nightly concerts, beauty pageants, crawfish festival, bowling and golf tournaments, kickoff dance, parade and junior rodeo events, will give those in attendance numerous activities to attend and participate.

Country music favorite Kevin Fowler will perform on Friday, September 11, 2015 with ticket prices ranging from $15 to $25. Saturday, September 12, 2015 will see Cody Johnson take to the stage at the rodeo arena. Monday and Tuesday evenings attendees will be entertained by local high school bands.

Wednesday, September 16, 2015 will see Jake Worthington and Jason Cassidy performing. On Thursday, September 17, 2015, entertainers Easton Corbin, Eric Paslay, Frankie Ballard, and Chase Rice will take to the stage. Aaron Watson will perform on Friday, September 18, 2015 with Roger Creager closing out the rodeo on Saturday, September 19, 2015.

In addition, every night with the exclusion of the Sunday dates, people may sign their children up for one of the favorite events of the rodeo; mutton busting. The event will be held nightly before each performance in the rodeo arena. Each child must weigh less than 60 pounds with awards and prizes for the winners.

Original Carribean Cookers to showcase their cooking skills at Pasadena Strawberry Festival

Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2014 TexSport Publications

PASADENA, TEXAS (May 16, 2014) When May comes around, that can only mean one thing. It is time for the Pasadena Strawberry Festival, beginning on May 16, 2014 and running through May 18, 2014 at the Pasadena Fairgrounds in the Houston suburb of Pasadena.

In addition to tons of strawberries, music and carnival rides, the annual barbecue cook off is one of the main events that draws cooking teams from all over the Houston area and around the state of Texas.

The Original Carribean Cookers, a state award winning cook team, will be competing at the Strawberry Festival for the 12th year in a row and they take every cooking competition as seriously as any professional athlete or team.

The team started out as a group of friends and family who had a love of fellowship, music, and of course, barbecue.

Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography

Carribean Cookers pull no punches with working to their desired result; winning whichever event they are currently competing and giving back to the community.

With such a diverse team, one might think that the team has certain aspects that they emphasis.

That could not be further from the truth.

Team owner and head cook Byron Butts stressed that prior to the Friday night event.

“We really don’t have any specialties. We cook for our friends and families, and sponsors. We cook ribs, brisket, chicken, sausage, and deserts. The one thing we are known for is our cherry pork chops.”

In fact, the Caribbean Cookers compete in a variety of events, including Cook’s Choice, Margaritas, Deserts, Best Port-A-Can, and of course, barbecue.

They cook a variety of means, including ribs, brisket, fajitas, chicken and beans.

Awards for showmanship and presentation are also contested.

Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography

In addition to ample food and drink, Carribean Cookers provided entertainment for their sponsors, families and friends while they enjoy their culinary delights.

Pasadena native Josh Norman will perform on Friday evening in the cook team’s compound.

Norman will entertain those in attendance with country music favorites and original compositions.

The Strawberry Festival will be the first event for 2014 and they have high hopes of continuing the success they have seen in past years.

Butts also stressed that the competition cooking, fellowship, and music is not the only reason that the

“The Strawberry Festival, San Jacinto Days Foundation and the various cook teams used these festivals as a means to raise money for scholarships for local high school students. That is the main reason we do this. To give back to the community and for the kids to further their education. You can’t have a better cause than that.”

The festival will run from Friday, May 16 until Sunday, May 18, with awards presented on the final day.

With all the enthusiasm, dedication and attention to detail seen inside their cook compound, there is no doubt Carribean Cookers will be taking home more awards to add to their already full trophy case.

41st Pasadena Strawberry Festival goes for Guinness Book of World Record

Photo courtesy of Pasadena Strawberry Festival

PASADENA, TEXAS (May 6, 2014) Yes, you heard it right! The Pasadena Strawberry Festival along with Kroger is producing 2000 square feet of Strawberry Shortcake, the largest cake ever produced at the festival. We are working with Guinness to hopefully break the set record for the Largest Strawberry Shortcake.
 
So come out and watch history being made at the 41^st Pasadena Strawberry Festival May 16 -18^th on the Pasadena Fairgrounds 7902 Fairmont Pkwy. This year’s Festival offers much more in the way of entertainment, carnival rides, mud volleyball, warrior games, BBQ cook off, helicopter rides, children’s area, Swifty Swine pig races, American duck races, Fearless Flores Thrill Show, Tumbleweed Wild West show, Magic by Christopher Lyle, Wacky Chad, Washer pitching contest, wine tasting, beer tasting, fresh strawberries and much more.

New event: Strawberry Warrior Games- played in the mud pits, tug a war, serve the ball to score points and throw the balls from court to court, timed event , winners packets, t-shirts, trophies, come out and give it a shot! Only taking 40 teams, so hurry!!!

Tickets: $15 adults, children 5-12 & seniors 55 & over $5, children 0-4 free.

Tickets available online  www.strawberryfest.org or at the gate. 

Arena stage : Friday May 16^th Josh Abbott Band

                        Saturday May 17^th Easton Corbin

Strawberry Festival Parade set for Saturday, May 10

PASADENA, TEXAS (May 1, 2014) It’s that time of year again!  Yep…Strawberry Festival time is once again upon us, so get your trailers, decorations and costumes together and help kick off the celebration as a participant in the 41^th  annual Pasadena Strawberry Festival Parade to be held Saturday, May 10^th .   This year’s theme “Wild about Strawberries”. It’s a crazy berry theme.  Entries will be judged and awards will be presented at the Pasadena Strawberry Festival Opening Ceremonies at the Pasadena Convention Center at 5 pm on Friday, May 16^th.  There is no fee and now it is easier than ever to enter.  Just visit the strawberry festival website at www.strawberryfest.org and click on events.  There you can print out all the information, entry forms and see the Route map.  Just fill out your parade entry forms and return by mail or fax to be included in the line-up. 

But hurry…the deadline to enter is May 5^th. 

For more information on the Pasadena Strawberry Festival event and activities visit www.strawberryfest.org or call 281-991-9500.

Warrior Games to debut at 2014 Pasadena Strawberry Festival

PASADENA, TEXAS (April 21, 2014) There’s a NEW Game in town this year at the Pasadena Strawberry Festival!

May 18^th Sunday come out for the Strawberry Warrior Games, get really muddy and have a Blast!

Game consists of: Tug a War, Ball Frenzy, Serve to Score all in the MUD.

Teams of 6 will compete for the winners circle by being the toughest, muddiest and best timed team all around.

 

Complete all 3 events in the time allotted and score as many point as possible. Winning teams are award Trophy and Winners Packs.  Every team member gets a Warrior Shirt!

Don’t be left holding the rope - Sunday May 18^th!!

Get all the info and application at www.strawberryfest.org

Games are sponsored by University of Houston Clear Lake

Game shirts sponsored by The Tarp Depot – Pasadena

Kevin Fowler headlines Pasadena Livestock Show and Rodeo on Saturday night

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2013 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (September 15, 2013)  Those in attendance on Saturday evening, September 14, 2013, at the Pasadena Livestock Show and Rodeo in the Houston suburb of Pasadena, Texas were treated to great rodeo riding and roping; and closed the night out with the country music of Texas favorite Kevin Fowler.

Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography

Fowler entertained the fans on the dirt of the infield of the Ross Kelley Rodeo Arena on a newly installed rotating stage that lowers from the rafters inside the arena. The Amarillo, Texas native wowed the crowd, playing many of his hits, including “Hell Yeah, I Like Beer,” “Girl in a Truck,” “How Country are Ya,” and “Here’s to me and You.” Prior to the concert, lines were long as fans waited to meet Fowler at an official “meet and greet” event on the rodeo grounds.

Fans crowded the arena floor and stood nine-to-ten deep around the revolving stage to get the best view of Fowler; with many dancing and signing along to the songs.

The second day of the livestock show and rodeo kicked off with the annual rodeo parade through the downtown streets of Pasadena with local high school marching bands, dance squads and beauty pageant winners featured on the various floats. The livestock show and rodeo continues through Saturday, Sept. 21 with Jason Cassidy performing on Wednesday, Sept. 18; followed by Wade Bowen, Jack Ingram and Dustin Lynch on Thursday, Sept. 19, Tracy Lawrence on Friday, Sept. 20, with the Josh Abbott Band closing out the rodeo on Saturday, Sept. 21.

Pro Football Coming To Pasadena, Texas

By Robert H. Kelly

Professional football is coming to the Pasadena area in the spring. The Houston Wild Riders, one of the expansion teams in the National Indoor Football League (NIFL), will begin play in the spring of 2007.

Few details are available as the present. What is known is that they will play their games at the Pasadena Convention Center, located on Spencer Highway in Pasadena.

They are assigned to the Pacific Conference of the NIFL, which consists of the North, California, and South Divisions. Their team colors will be blue, gray, and red.

Houston will be in the South Division with the Beaumont Drillers, Fort Worth Sixers, and the San Antonio Player Haters.

Beaumont played in the league in 2006, reaching the league championship playoffs, losing in the first round to the Katy Copperheads 55-21. Katy has since left the NIFL and moved to the Arena Football League 2.

Fort Worth and San Antonio will also begin their first year of play in the league in 2007. Fort Worth will play its home games at the Fort Worth Stock Yards while San Antonio will play at the San Antonio Rose Palace. Beaumont will continue to play in Ford Arena in Beaumont.