Sixth Annual New Bedford Chowder Festival

On September 18, 2011 from 12-5 PM at Custom House Square, Downtown New Bedford, Inc. will be presenting the sixth annual Chowder Festival. This is a fun filled day for the whole family to get outdoors and enjoy some of the best clam chowder, seafood chowder, kale soup, and stuffed quahogs from local restaurants. Once you’ve purchased a ticket, this will allow you to go and sample all of the savory dishes from local restaurants.

Besides tasting delicious food, there will be live music from Shipyard Wreck and Captain Malibu & Friends. Live lobster races will be held at Carter’s lot across from Custom House Square. This event raises funds for the YMCA. The lobsters race in a custom made tank, and you may place a wage on your favorite lobster. The New Bedford Ocean Explorations will host craft activites for the younger children. Want to take a picture a with a friendly pirate? Captain Jack Sparrow will be available for photos during the festival for a unique souvenir.

There will be an alternative to seafood. Cafe Arpeggio will be serving sandwiches, desserts, and homemade ice cream so there is something for everyone to enjoy at the festival. Soft drinks and beer will be available. The beer is from Massachusetts beer selections and wine provided by Travessia Urban Winery. The Cocktail Guru (new this year) will be mixing up signature cocktails and other drinks for all.

During the sampling of chowders, soups and quahogs, visitors will be asked to place a vote for: Best Clam Chowder, Best Seafood Chowder, Best Kale Soup, Best Stuffed Quahogs and Best Table Presentation. There will also be a Judge’s Choice Award conducted through a blind taste test. The judges this year are Michael Rock from FUN107, Chef and Owner of Destination Soups, and Greg Morton Owner/Chef of Morton’s Fork Catering. Voting will end at 3:15 p.m. so the votes can be counted and winners announced that day.

Here are the local restaurants that will be participating this year: Atria Fairhaven; Bittersweet Farm; Cotali Mar; Fathom’s Bar & Grille; Freestone’s City Grill; M & C Cafe; Mar-Lees Seafood, Mike’s Restaurant; Morin’s Fine Catering; Pasta House; Pour Farm Tavern, River’s End Cafe; Rose Alley Ale House; Seaside Seafood; St. Luke’s Hospital and Vivvy’s Restaurant.

Tickets are $12 in advance ($15 at the door) or $5 for children 6-12 and children under 6 years-old get in for free. Tickets are available at the DNB office, on-line through out web-site www.downtownnb.org. Tickets can also be purchased at the following locations: Acme Liquors, Cardoza Wine & Spirits, Douglas Wine & Spirits, Atria Fairhaven, Mike’s Restaurant, Fathom’s Bar & Grill; Citizens-Union Savings Bank (downtown branch), Destination Soups, Freestone’s, Elaine’s Home of the Black Whale, On-A-Roll Sandwiches, TL6 the Gallery, Webster Bank, YMCA, Rivers End Cafe and Vivvy’s Restaurant. Call 508-990-2777 for information.

There’s no better way to spend a September Sunday afternoon than coming to the Sixth Annual New Bedford Chowder Festival and sampling the very best flavors from local restaurants, enjoying live music and relaxing.