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  • Mary Meaux

    riverfest fri 2009

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May 1, 2009

Riverfest offers something for all ages

MARY MEAUX

PORT NECHES — Jo Green and her husband Bob caught an early show of some tunnel boats tearing up the waterway Friday morning.

The is the first year for the couple, owners of B&J; Crafts of Marshall, to bring their wares to Port Neches Riverfest, Jo Green said.

“I kept asking when the boat races began,” she said while waiting on a customer. “I love to watch the boats practice.”

The Green’s also had a chance to catch the Hughen School Fishing event Friday morning and loved every minute of it, she said.

The colorful crafts booth bears the fruits of the couple’s labor — decorative gourds. They sell everything from gourd bird houses and gourd heads made to look human as well as gourd bird feeders.

Debbie Plaia, executive director of the Port Neches Chamber of Commerce, said she expects a good turnout this weekend.

“Yesterday was great, we had Battle of the Bands and the Kid’s T-Shirt Contest. More people attended both events this year,” Plaia said. “And we have some new vendors who are excited about being here for the first time.”

Jody Jorgensen, with the Port Neches Chamber of Commerce, said the annual RiverFest Hughen School Fishing Event worked out great with good weather and prizes for the students.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department were on hand with the fishers and brought out an interactive display for the students.

“They brought out an alligator display,” Jorgensen said. “With live ones as well as some skins that they can touch and feel. Academy Sports and Outdoors also came out here and brought fishing poles as prizes for the students and Pizza Inn brought 10 pizzas and visors for everybody. The community is really coming together for this event.”

Jorgensen said along with the Hughen Students, many Port Neches city officials, including city councilman and police officers, came down to the boat ramp area to join in the fun.

“Judge Morris McCall even came down here,” Jorgensen said. “The fishing isn’t as good as we’d like to see, but we’re having fun. I think its been a huge success — the weather has been great, and it’s really a treat for Academy to show up and bring these prizes.”

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