Rotary ‘Gumbo’ event returns

Published 9:10 am Tuesday, February 12, 2019

By Ken Stickney

ken.stickney@panews.com

It was an annual treat, the Port Arthur Rotary Club’s Taste of Gumbo.

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Darn that Hurricane and Tropical Storm Harvey.

Repairs on the Bob Bowers Civic Center in Port Arthur in 2018 — devastation there came by way of Harvey floodwaters — caused cancellation of the Taste of Gumbo, which has been held for 31 years.

It’s the Rotary Club’s sole fundraiser for a host of philanthropic efforts, including scholarships for Port Arthur high school graduates; Rotary Youth Leadership training; the club’s dictionary distribution project; assistance to Hurricane Harvey victims and other efforts, including serving the poor and hungry through the Community Care Prayer Outreach, United Board of Missions and Salvation Army.

“We want to remind the community that Rotary is extremely active,” President Callie Summerlin said this week. “Rotarians are in the community and they care about the community.”

She said Rotary wants to continue funding scholarships, leadership training and its food program in November.

“We’re looking at new programs, too,” she said.

Come Saturday, gumbo is what more than 1,000 patrons will care about. That’s how many tickets have been sold and Summerlin said the goal is to serve 2,000. In 2017, The Taste of Gumbo served 1,500 people.

Fifteen local vendors will vie for three top gumbo awards at the Civic Center. Doors open at 11, and the event closes at 2.

Tickets cost $10 each in advance, and $15 at the door.

Tickets are available through Eventbrite at facebook@rotarytasteofgumbo.

Confirmed to be cooking are the following competitors: Betty Jean’s, Big Boi Crawfish Hole, Edith’s Place, Floyd’s, Hospitality Center, Larry’s Cajun Food, La Suprema, Nachos Queen, Reel Cajun Seafood, SALT Club-Pleasure Island, Schooner, Seafarer’s Center, Sundara Coffee House, Texas Gas and Wheelhouse.

In addition to food, Taste of Gumbo will feature laser tag and archery tag, Stockyard’s Gunfighter virtual gun range, a photo booth, drone demonstrations, door prizes, a silent auction, DJ and Entertainment and fun activities for kids of all ages.

“It’s the first year we have ever had entertainment,” Summerlin said. “We hope it will bring out families to an affordable event.”