Mmm, Mmm, Souper!

The 12th annual Souper Bowl kicked off the weekend on Saturday, February 6. This was the first year the event took place at Veterans Community Park due to ongoing construction to the airnasium at Mackle Park. The sun was shining, a gentle breeze wafted the aroma of the delicious soups throughout the air, and ten local restaurants diligently prepared their favorite soup.

Donna Niemczyk, Program and Event Manager with the Marco Island Chamber of Commerce, could be seen completing final preparations with the assistance of Dianna Dohm, several volunteers, members of the Marco Island Academy Key Club, and Leadership Marco graduates. The able group gathered at 8:00 AM to set up at the new location.

Addressing the change of parks, Niemczyk gestured to the expansive grounds. “Crowds will have a little more room this year. Each restaurant has its own tent, so their own line can form. Now, no one will get lost winding around each other.”

All proceeds from the event benefit the Leadership Marco Scholarship Fund, providing educational scholarships to deserving local high school seniors looking to further their education.

To date, 71 scholarships have been awarded to students totaling approximately $100,000. They are awarded in May after an application, interview, and selection process.

The event began at 11:00 AM, but the crowds began much earlier, eager to secure their bowl. The chamber hosted a pre-sale for bowls the evening prior, with a record 60% being sold. A grand total of 600 bowls were available this year, so there were still plenty for the crowd to choose from.

Each bowl is hand-painted by students from Lely High School, Marco Island Charter Middle School, Marco Island Academy, Tommie Barfield Elementary School, and Lunch with Friends attendees.

There were also a select number of special bowls made by Lely high school students. “Mr. Smith incorporates them into a class project, starting from scratch,” said Niemczyk.

Ladles in hand and expressions of anticipation and excitement, vendors were ready for guests, sharing kind exchanges as bowls of soup were passed. Lines quickly formed as more and more eager patrons arrived to taste the day's offerings.

There were several cocktail tables available throughout the park, along with a large, covered seating area where friend groups could sit and enjoy conversation over their soups.

The Souper Bowl is a favorite event for many on Marco, and excited comments could be heard as one walked about. Couples strategized to ensure they tasted everything, groups divided to conquer all the tents and swapped favorite flavors and recommendations in line.

Volunteers made their way through the crowd with a 50/50 raffle. Deb Henry and Karen Nettles manned the silent auction table where several one-of-a-kind bowls lay ready for their next home, and the MIA Key Club hosted a bake sale, raising dough for their Track and Field team.

This year, the Special Artist’s Hand Painted Bowls in the silent auction were created by local artists Jean Camposano, Judy Chinski, Jacqueline Glasgow, Elisa Logan, Nancy Norman, and Bruce Robertson.

The Phelan Group’s Pinchers, Deep Lagoon, and CJ’s were the Souper Title Sponsors this year.

Condee Cooling and Electric, one of the Souper Sponsors, provided cold water for $1 along with volunteering at the event.

Marco Island Florist Home and Gifts was another Souper Sponsor.

DJ Sugarcube kept the lines from standing too still with hard-to-resist classics, making each queue dance in place or nod along to the familiar tunes.

Newly installed 2026 Chamber President, Rick Popoff, addressed the crowd and welcomed everyone to the first year of this event at Veterans Community Park. He thanked Premier Level Sponsors Allyson and Jim Richards, Jacki Strategos, Lisa Meurgue, and Cheryl Stokes along with these generous Soup and Cracker Sponsors whose contributions made this event possible: AP Builders, City of Marco Island Parks & Rec, Clay Guild at the Marco Island Center for the Arts, Clay More Ceramics, Coastal Breeze News, Jill & Arne Sandberg, Kiwanis Foundation of Marco Island, Marco Island Mattress & Furniture, NCH Healthcare System, and Rogers Wood Starman Gustason. He also thanked the Souper Bowl Committee for their hard work each year to bring this event together.

Dedicated to our ‘Souper’ Students, the Souper Bowl was yet another huge success and memorable event for many.

The chamber asks residents to stay tuned on the 2027 location, as it is yet to be determined.