Gumbo Fest

02/23/2026

🔥 What. A. Day. 🔥

Our 4th Annual Gumbo Fest was our BIGGEST one yet — record-breaking crowds, incredible energy, and the new location was an absolute hit! 🙌 The feedback has been amazing, and we couldn’t be more grateful for everyone who came out to celebrate with us.

Over 20 powerhouse teams brought the heat to the largest — and toughest — Stir the Roux Gumbo Cookoff we’ve hosted to date. The competition was fierce, the flavors were bold, and the judges had their work cut out for them!

🏆 2026 Stir the Roux Winners:
🥇 1st Place – GulfShip
🥈 2nd Place – Rusty’s Seasoning
🥉 3rd Place – Chucks Dust
❤️ People’s Choice – Flava Krave
🎪 Best Decorated Tent – Rusty’s Seasoning

And the excitement didn’t stop there…

🔥 6 Coastal Cities faced off in the Mayor’s Cup Cookoff, bringing serious competition and hometown pride to the table!

🏆 With an impressive 143 votes, Gulfport brought home the Mayor’s Cup Trophy!

To our cook teams, sponsors, volunteers, city leaders, and every single person who showed up hungry and ready to have a great time — THANK YOU. You made this year unforgettable.

We’re already counting down to next year… because if this one was the biggest yet, just wait until you see what’s next. 🍲✨

02/22/2026

Thats a wrap for this years Gumbo Fest, we hope to see you all next year at Gumbo Fest 2027

https://www.wlox.com/video/2026/02/22/fourth-annual-gumbo-fest-takes-place-downtown-gulfport/?fbclid=IwRlRTSAQH3j1leHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEecurQslwrcL64xEcFoHjFmp01P16IonOEbQW9PeotaW5XCFJkL0iUYgiCOzU_aem_MBdywFF8DvSoHSnNO4j6qA e

The smell of seafood and spices filled downtown Gulfport today during the fourth annual gumbo fest.

02/18/2026

We are just days away from the 4th Annual Gumbo Fest ! Who’s ready to two-step the afternoon away listening to D Jr & the Shine Soul Band. (1pm-4pm)

02/18/2026

02/17/2026

It’s Almost Gumbo Time, Gulfport! 🎶🥄

Get ready to indulge in the ultimate culinary celebration at the 4th Annual Gumbo Fest in Downtown Gulfport, Mississippi! Brought to you by our incredible presenting sponsors — Gulfport Main Street, The City of Gulfport, Mitchell Distributing, and Michelob Ultra, as well as all our, zydeco, swamp pop and creole sponsors — this event wouldn’t be possible without their amazing support!

📅 Save the Date: Feb 21, 2026!

Join us for a day overflowing with live music, local vendors, and the ultimate showdown at the “Stir the Roux” Gumbo Cook-Off! 🌟 Whether you’re a competitor aiming for cash prizes or a fan eager to taste the best gumbo on the Coast, this event is for you!

But wait, there’s more! 🏆
Watch as Mayors from across the Gulf Coast battle it out for the prestigious Mayors Cup and some serious bragging rights!

This is one tradition you won’t want to miss!

Let’s make this Gumbo Fest unforgettable together!

02/16/2026

🔥 We’re finally ready to GUMBO, Gulfport! THIS COMING WEEKEND SATURDAY FEB 21st!🔥
We are thrilled it’ s offically time for the 4th Annual Gumbo Fest — and it’s going to be worth the wait!
📍 Downtown Gulfport
📍 Corner of 23rd Ave & 14th St
📅 Saturday, February 21, 2026
⏱️10:00-4:00pm
Get ready for a full day of:
🎶 Live music
🛍️ Local vendors
🥣 The fan-favorite Stir the Roux Gumbo Cook-Off
🍅 And NEW this year — the Gulfport Bloody Mary Classic!
Bring your friends, bring your appetite, and come spend the day celebrating great food, great music, and the heart of Downtown Gulfport.
Go ahead and mark your calendars for Saturday, February 21st and make plans to join us for the 4th Annual Gumbo Fest!
Let’s get ready to GUMBO! 🔥

02/11/2026

🔥 We’re finally ready to GUMBO, Gulfport! 🔥
After a winter storm delay in January, we are thrilled to announce that the 4th Annual Gumbo Fest is officially just around the corner — and it’s going to be worth the wait!
📍 Downtown Gulfport
📍 Corner of 23rd Ave & 14th St
📅 Saturday, February 21, 2026
⏱️10:00-4:00pm
Get ready for a full day of:
🎶 Live music
🛍️ Local vendors
🥣 The fan-favorite Stir the Roux Gumbo Cook-Off
🍅 And NEW this year — the Gulfport Bloody Mary Classic!
Bring your friends, bring your appetite, and come spend the day celebrating great food, great music, and the heart of Downtown Gulfport.
Go ahead and mark your calendars for Saturday, February 21st and make plans to join us for the 4th Annual Gumbo Fest!
Let’s get ready to GUMBO! 🔥🥄

01/24/2026

🌧️ Gumbo Fest Update! 🌧️ Although we were excited for today’s gumbo festivities, we made the right call to reschedule to February 21, 2026, due to the incoming weather. 🌬️ Our thoughts are with all those vendors & teams that would have been traveling from area that are in teh path of the incoming winter storm. Stay safe and warm!

The good news? We can’t wait to celebrate with everyone on the new date—it’s going to be worth the wait! 🔥🍲 Plus, we’ll be re-opening vendor applications for those who missed the original deadline. Keep an eye out for more details!

Thank you for your understanding and support—Downtown Gulfport is still bringing the heat! See you in February! 🛍️✨

01/23/2026

🌧️ GUMBO FEST UPDATE 🌧️
After carefully monitoring the weather, we’ve made the decision to POSTPONE Gumbo Fest to February 21, 2026 out of an abundance of caution and for the safety of our sponsors, competition teams, vendors, and spectators.
✨ The good news? We can’t wait to see everyone out on the new rescheduled date—and it’s going to be worth the wait!
🛍️ Vendor Applications Re-Opening!
We will be re-opening vendor applications for anyone who missed the original deadline. Stay tuned for details!
Thank you for your understanding and continued support—Downtown Gulfport is still bringing the heat (and the gumbo)! 🔥🍲

01/19/2026

Gumbo fest weather update: we are still ready to roll, but we are monitoring the weather closely. Stay tuned for all updates. We are looking forward to seeing everyone this weekend.

01/18/2026

Anthony “Porkchop” Williams and Leron Jones are household names among alligator hunters and Swamp People super fans! In their 6th season as regular members of the cast of The History Channel’s Swamp People, PorkChop and Leron were raised in the swamps of Louisiana where the lifestyle of gator hunting, fishing and Cajun cooking runs deep.

These two master gator hunters are forces to be reckoned with on and off the swamps of the Louisiana bayou. Known for their unconventional yet effective hunting techniques, these “coozans” are fearless when they encounter the beasts of the bayou! Both hail from the cajun community of Vacherie, Louisiana where you can find them cooking up a big pot of gumbo or creole delicacies if they aren’t wrestling a gator or wetting a line somewhere in the backwoods of the Louisiana swamp.

Porkchops’s grandfather taught him at an early age how to steer boats, bait lines and track gators with sheer precision. But beyond technique, he learned patience, respect for nature and how to move with the rhythm of the swamp. The same goes for Leron who captains the boat each time they take to the swamp. He has a keen sense of where the best and deepest fishing holes can be found in the Louisiana bayou and is always ready to bolster his skills as a chef in the off-season of Swamp People.

These Vacherie Swamp Boys are regulars along the Mississippi Gulf Coast and they are excited to be back this year to check out who’s stirring the roux at the 2026 Gumbo Fest!

Stop by and meet them during the festival, take a photo and get to know these two fearless, untraditional, creative gator hunters! You are sure to hear Leron say “Give Me A Shot PorkChop”!!!