Any event that has been around for 34 years is bound to experience some growing pains. That's the case for Soup Sunday, the main annual fundraiser for Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families.
The public policy and advocacy outfit started a soup-sampling soiree, Soup Sunday, in 1981 at Cajun's Wharf. It outgrew that venue and moved to Embassy Suites. As big as that ballroom is, a crowd of hot soup sippers squeezes the air out of a place quickly.
"We were kind of crammed out of Embassy Suites," explains Molly McGowan, a law clerk for Judge Raymond Abramson and this year's chairman.
So, when this year's Soup Sunday starts at 4 p.m. Feb. 8, it will be in the Statehouse Convention Center, a venue that promises plenty of space -- for now.
"People can be assured there will be enough seats," McGowan says. "In years past they've had to sit on the floor."
Parking has also been a bit of a problem, but at the new venue, attendees will have access to downtown parking decks and parking at the Doubletree Hotel will be free. The committee hopes that the promise of breathing room and ample parking will open Soup Sunday up to a new batch of fans.
Those who attend will find that, other than the larger space, Soup Sunday will be the same bustling, family-oriented smorgasbord it has always been. After all, chairman McGowan has been attending Soup Sunday's soup extravaganzas since they started.
"I grew up going to Soup Sunday with my parents and have always been a fan of the work Advocates does," she explains. "When I came back to Little Rock I decided I wanted to get involved, not just as an attendee of Soup Sunday, but be on the committee and serve. I'm honored to be the chair this year."
At Soup Sunday, restaurants (nearly 40 this year) set up booths where they serve samples of their soups as well as bread and desserts. Some restaurants have been participating since the start and many of those bring out the same crowd favorites every year while others may shake things up with a new recipe.
This year, nine restaurants will be participating for the first time. They include Cache, The Fold, The Purple Cow, Capitol Bistro and Scallions. They'll join old favorites such as Dave's Place, Dizzy's, Cotham's in the City, Local Lime, The Faded Rose and Chi's.
Once inside, attendees are free to mix, mingle and try as many or as few soups as they want from the booths lined up around the room. Containers will be provided, but people in the know bring muffin tins to facilitate the gathering of soup samples.
"You could try, if you're overly ambitious, all of them," McGowan says. "If you find a soup you love, you can come back as many times as you want."
There will be one special soup, though, for those who pay a bit extra.
The Soup Sunday VIP room -- a separate room with soup, beer and wine from Glazer's and dessert from LePops and Ristorante Capeo -- is back and this year it will feature an offering by Cache chef/owner Payne Harding.
"We've decided on going with gumbo," Harding says. "I'm sure other restaurants make gumbo as well, but ours is a really great recipe. I'm just glad we're involved and look forward to being there."
"I can't emphasize enough just how generous they are to provide not only the soup, but the time," McGowan says. "You see a lot of restaurant owners there serving the soup like Payne will be. I think that says a lot about their involvement in the community and really wanting to be a part of who they're serving every day."
Children have their own space, too, a kids area with games, crafts and other activities so parents can let their little ones burn off energy. And if the children aren't big soup consumers, there will be hot dogs and ice cream. Of course, if the children would prefer soup sampling, they're more than welcome.
There will also be a silent auction (with local art, restaurant gift certificates, spa services and trip packages) and music by the Big John Miller Band. Those who want to "show their moves" can take to the dance floor.
Overall, McGowan says, "It's just a great way for folks from all over to come and have a good time and mix and mingle while benefiting the incredible work that Advocates does. I often describe it as being a voice for the voiceless."
And McGowan has one piece of advice:
"Come hungry."
Soup Sunday is 4-7 p.m. Feb. 8 at the Statehouse Convention Center, 101 Markham St. Tickets are on sale now for $25 through Feb. 6, $30 after, $5 for children 5-17. VIP tickets are $50. Call (501) 371-9678 or visit aradvocates.org.
High Profile on 01/25/2015