CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Corpus Christi Jewish Food Festival returns for it's 39th year this weekend but this could be the last one.
What began as a freezer sale in the 1950's, later transformed into a festival in 1985.
Organizer Rikki Schmitchel said this event has been part of her life for 25 years and is sad because of what might happen to it.
"It's bittersweet that we might have to bring this to a close. We hope we can continue, we hope that some people will step up to the occasion and keep this tradition alive," Schmitchel said.
Schmitchel said the fate of this festival is uncertain at the moment.
"There are a handful of us, just a core group of people that get together every year and are the leadership behind putting this party on," Schmitchel said. "And we are getting a little worn out and we're debating to have another one."
Phyllis Roseman has volunteered at the event for more than twenty years and said this event is important to the community as it provides some of the only Jewish food in the area.
"Well we don't have any kind of Jewish deli and I think people miss that," Roseman said. "So, this their one opportunity to get kosher pickles, corn beef sandwiches, matzah ball soup and I think that has made a huge difference."
Roseman said the festival sells out of the more popular items almost every year. Items like their matzah ball soup, the brisket, and a variety of desserts.
"Almost everything. Except this year, we made 1750 matzah balls so that's almost twice as what we make," Roseman said. "So, we shouldn't sell out of matzah ball soup."
Although this could be the last festival, there are plans to continue to provide fresh Jewish food to the area in other ways.
"We are still planning having our food available in mini sales here along the way. So, we will be collecting emails over the weekend," Schmitchel said.
The festival will be held Saturday from 5 to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Congregation Beth Israel. For more information on this event, visit the website here.
