TEXARKANA -- Cooking gumbo is an art form that has been practiced at Fat Jack's Oyster and Sports Bar for more than three decades, and it doesn't have to be Mardi Gras season to order a bowl there.
However, the 18-gallon batch that was painstakingly prepared Thursday is special because it will be available at Texarkana's fourth Mardi Gras celebration today in downtown Texarkana.
"I think with this being our first year, it's a great thing for them and a great thing for us because people who don't know about us are getting to find out about us," said Jackie Jacobs, who has managed the restaurant for the past 13 years.
Jacobs is the niece of Jack Mills, who founded Fat Jack's 31 years ago. Jack passed away last January and his absence has been felt by many, but Louisiana traditions he helped institute remain strong, including crawfish served along with sausage, corn and potatoes.
Jack eventually, somewhat begrudgingly, passed along his gumbo skills to Michael Sellers, telling the youngster "that was his thing," as he liked to spend much of his time in the kitchen.
Sellers, like any great cook, religiously respects the manner in which gumbo is created. He reveals ingredients anyone who knows good gumbo might guess, but is mum on the secrets behind what makes the creation so special.
"I love painting and I love cooking," Sellers said. "This is an art and it's all about detail, but leaving it open enough so that everyone has their own interpretation. But you've got to have fun with it, too."
Those who enjoy Louisiana flavor can sample the crawfish and gumbo while they enjoy festivities leading up to the parade rolling down Front Street at 3 p.m. from Hazel and Broad streets. The theme of the parade is "Krewe of Koinonia: A Parade of the Past" and is intended to represent the unity of Texarkana as a bi-state city, said Ross Cowling, Texarkana's Parks and Recreation superintendent. The theme is also general to allow for participants to convey their own interpretations.
"What we are doing is a history-style parade, and we were looking for a parade that would follow the history of downtown Texarkana," Cowling said.
Cowling said he, along with Brandy Chewning, the city's recycling coordinator, and other Parks and Recreation employees, worked together to create a first-time Mardi Gras float for the city. The float will carry representatives from the Texarkana, Texas, City Council and Texarkana, Ark., Board of Directors.
Cowling said at least 33 floats had signed up for the parade, including Star International in Texarkana, whose extravagant floats of the past have made the heads of parade judges and crowds turn for three years running.
Vendors and children's activities will begin at Front Street Plaza at 10 a.m. This will be followed by a car club show set for just after 11 a.m., and a children and pet parade rolling at noon at Front and Olive streets. The band Shinyribs performs at 1 p.m. According to their Website, "A Shinyribs show is an exaltation of spirit. It's a hip shaking, belly laughing, soul-singing, song-slinging, down-home house party."
This year's parade will also include a stilt walker, juggler and hula-hoop performers from Spinner Entertainment in Shreveport, La. John Ellis, who owns the entertainment business, will be the group's juggler, whose stage name is Arty Dodger. He said these performers will be out and about from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
"I am a gentleman's juggler, and that means I juggle items most likely a gentleman carries on their person," Ellis, aka "Dodger," said. "It is an old vaudeville type thing and I always wear a suit every time I perform."
He juggles clubs, balls, rings, knives and more, but one of his specialties is a cigar trick where he balances cigar boxes and a glass of wine off a cigar held in his mouth.
State Desk on 02/06/2016