The 26th annual Chowderfest in Beach Haven will honor the global comic book fan convention, Comiccon, by turning the Long Beach Island event into “Clamiccon.” Aside from a comic book-themed booth decoration contest, this year’s soup and shopping festival, to be held during the weekend of Oct. 4 and 5 at Panzone Park, located at Taylor Ave. and Ninth St., will feature a "Clamiccon" costume contest. The winner will receive a family-four pack to Frightfest at Six Flags Great Adventure. Interested participants can sign up on site Sunday, Oct. 5, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
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| Photo via Twitter This year's theme centers on Comiccon. |
The festival will begin with Merchants Mart on Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The free event features an end-of-season shopping blowout by dozens of local businesses. Live music, costumed characters and locally made specialty foods and beverages will also be offered.
The Chowderfest Cook Off Classic will take place on Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., when local restaurants compete for best red and white chowders. Each restaurant will make 250 gallons of chowder, so all festival-goers can taste enough of the soup to cast their vote for the grand champions.
Those competing for best New England clam chowder include Arcadia Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Allen's Clam Bar, The Chicken Or the Egg, Howard’s Restaurant, Phillips Seafood, Resorts Casino Hotel, Stockton Seaview Hotel and TGI Friday’s Manahawkin. The Black Whale Bar and Fish House, Cuisine on the Green, Lefty’s Tavern, Sea Oaks Country Club, Stefano’s Seafood and Pasta, Shore Fire Grille and Southern Smoke Cajun and Caribbean BBQ will compete for best Manhattan clam chowder.
Local music by Hawkins Road will be performed throughout the event. Specialty items to commemorate the day will also be available at the merchandise tent.
“The excitement of the 26th Chowderfest is testimony to the dedicated business community and loyal visitors of Southern Ocean County,” said Lori Pepenella, destination marketing director of Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce, which hosts the occasion. “This event brings thousands of families to our region at a time when local business needs the boost. They stay overnight or longer. They eat in our restaurants and shop in our stores. It generates interest in our area on an international scale, gives us an audience to promote activities to come back for throughout the year and introduces new visitors to the opportunity of falling in love with our destination.”
— Kelley Anne Essinger
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