This year’s Zwolle Tamale Fiesta poster will be unveiled on September 12 at 7 p.m. at the Zwolle Festival Grounds Activity Building.
The event will feature the 52-card raffle for a George Rodrique “Number 1 Fan” print with cards being sold for $20 each. There will also be door prizes, which include a framed 2024 signed and numbered print and fiesta gift basket. There will also be an auction for the framed original artwork, framed number one poster, and framed 38th anniversary poster.
This year’s artist for the 38th commemorative poster is Gene Guidry.
He is a retired engineer who worked for 40 years in the oil industry. Most recently he was a resident of Sabine Parish and worked for the Sabine River Authority as manager of the dam on the south end of Toledo Bend.
After his time in Sabine Parish, he returned to his hometown of Lafayette where he and his wife, Jeanie, currently reside. During his retirement he spent much of his time painting and drawing in his home studio.
Guidry asserts that he is primarily a selftaught artist although he received training in architecture for a year at Louisiana State University. His talent for capturing nature is evident in each of his works, especially those which depict the beauty and culture of life in Louisiana. He primarily works in oils, acrylics, and graphite drawings that focus on the balance of the subject. He is always adept at capturing shadows and movement most efficiently, as well as brilliant true colors. His main interest is in natural renderings in lifelike quality.
He will be on hand to celebrate the poster unveiling and renew old acquaintances while making new friends.
The Hubbard family is this year’s poster sponsor.
They became a part of the Zwolle community when Monroe and Shirley Hubbard moved their family here for work with International Paper in the mid-1960s. Living here and attending school at Zwolle allowed Dwaine, Dennis, James, and Kathy to be actively involved in church activities, school events, and Boy Scouts. Over the years, the family became a part of the fabric of the community.
After graduation, each of the children began careers in their jobs of choice. Dwaine became a teacher and school band director. Dennis worked in the accounting field with Sabine State Bank. James worked in Sales. Kathy fulfilled her career as an English teacher. Their lives continue to reflect their love and support of church and community.
Sadly, Dennis succumbed to cancer in the fall of 2023 and the community joined the family with love and condolences for the immense loss. Dennis continued to support the community by serving as treasurer of the Zwolle Tamale Fiesta Board of Directors in recent years, plus additional community work. The family chose to sponsor the 2024 Zwolle Tamale Fiesta Poster in his honor and memory. The recognition allows the community to always remember the remarkable, kind man he was and his love of the Zwolle and Sabine Parish communities.
Light refreshments will be served.