FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. (January 31, 2019) – On Thursday, March 7, LPL Financial located at First City Bank will host their 8th Annual Gumbo Throwdown from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the bank’s Fort Walton Beach location. All proceeds from this event will benefit Fresh Start, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to helping families achieve long-term self-sufficiency through a nine-month residential educational program.
The community is invited to attend an evening filled with endless tastes of gumbo created by various local restaurants. Tickets will be on sale for $10 in advance and $15 at the door, which includes unlimited tastes of gumbo, wine, beer, as well as beignets provided by Good Things Donuts. Participating restaurants include 790 on the Gulf, AJ’s Seafood & Oyster Bar, Basil & Baxter’s Kitchen and Cocktails, Crab Island Cantina, The Crab Trap, Fort Walton Beach Yacht Club, The Island, Signature Catering of 30A and SunQuest Cruises. First City Bank will be transformed with festive balloon décor provided by Mingle, while guests commemorate the event at the Epic Photo Co. photo booth, dance to the sounds of Hurricane Donny & Marshall Jones, and participate in various raffles and giveaways throughout the evening.
A panel of select local celebrities, including State Rep Mel Ponder, Okaloosa Superintendent of Schools Marcus Chambers, Mayor of Fort Walton Beach Dick Rynearson, and several more will judge each gumbo to select the winner for the most delicious and most creative. There will also be a highly coveted People’s Choice Award for event goers to choose. All awards will be custom made by local artist, Maxine Orange.
To purchase tickets for the 8th Annual Gumbo Throwdown, visit www.firstcitybank.com. Exclusive sponsorship opportunities remain. Those interested please email caroline@proffittpr.com.