45th Annual Taste of Gumbo saw large crowds
Published 11:43 am Wednesday, February 26, 2025
A view of the crowd. (Mary Meaux/The News)
Rotary club members Kiki Coney, left and Royce Watson are ready to serve patrons. (Mary Meaux/The News)
A view of the crowd. (Mary Meaux/The News)
Jivin’ Gene Bourgeois, right, sings with the Rolling Bones Band. (Mary Meaux/The News)
Lynn and Linda Tait with grandson Korban Lee. (Mary Meaux/The News)
Rotary member Dr. LaWanda Black-Finney stops to record the Rolling Bones Band. (Mary Meaux/The News)
Patrons stop for gumbo from Catholic Charities of Southeast Texas Hospitality Center. (Mary Meaux/The News)
Charles Durgin, left, gets a cup of gumbo as Port Arthur Independent School District Superintendent Dr. Mark Porterie and Nguyen Tran get more cups ready. (Mary Meaux/The News)
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The smell of gumbo paired with festive live music greeted visitors at Central Mall Saturday with the 45th Annual Taste of Gumbo.
An official tally from the event, which is hosted by the Rotary Club of Port Arthur, hasn’t been performed but officials with the club feel it was successful.
Visitors moved past an archway of balloons featuring Mardi Gras colors of purple, green and gold, for tickets and a place to dine. Just outside the perimeter were booths from a number of local and area businesses serving up everything from gumbo to pastalya, pizza to Chik-fil-A and Walk-Ons bread pudding.
Rotary club members and volunteers from Woodrow Wilson Early College High School were on hand to assist the masses that flowed through.
Rotary President Dr. Jesus Acosta said they don’t have official numbers yet but noted the area was standing room only at times.
“We are happy for the support and definitely happy to raise money for scholarships again,” Acosta said. “This is always a great event.”
The Taste of Gumbo was established over 30 years ago and has been held at the Bob Bowers Civic Center for many years. This marks the first big change in venue, Sharita Gardner said in a previous article.
“The change of venue was implemented for a couple of reasons. One being the ongoing construction near Hwy 69/73 and the other being the club wanted to try something new,” she said. “A location change may just light the spark for a few innovative things to come in the upcoming years, so stay tuned.”
