PORT NECHES — What began as a suggestion from a local middle school art teacher has blossomed into an event featuring artwork but food, face painting, music and more.

Port Neches Art on the Avenue will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday along the historic Port Neches Avenue in Port Neches. The event is hosted by the Port Neches Avenue Merchants with the Port Neches Chamber of Commerce assisting.

Esther Macha, owner of the Cherry Tree Florist and a head person of sorts of the Port Neches Avenue Merchants said there will be 35 artists coming to the event, Life Church will man the Kids Zone with free activities, Savvy Chic Boutique will help with face painting and members of Vidor middle and high school drama teams will head up the pumpkin patch with photo opportunities.

Patrons are also encouraged to stop by the many shops along the avenue for some shopping.

“This event started because I was approached by Port Neches Middle School art teacher Julie Shields. She wanted to see if periodically she could bring her students’ art to the avenue and display it in different shops,” Macha said. “From her wanting o do this we (merchants) said let’s have an art walk.”

Student artists with PNMS are set to bring about 300 pieces of art, she added.

MiMI’s Food Hut will be on hand and Dominos Pizza will be there as well and donating some proceeds to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

Macha said all of the merchants are excited about the upcoming event. Unlike Nederland city’s Boston Avenue, which is off a major thoroughfare, Port Neches Avenue is off the main roads and not as visited.

Debbie Plaia, executive director of the Port Neches Chamber of Commerce, is excited about the event as well.

“There are a lot of talented artists in this area and we look forward to seeing and helping showcase it in Port Neches,” Plaia said.

Plaia also encourages patrons to stop and check out the avenue as well as branching out and seeing other Port Neches businesses.

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