Record Crowd Of 15,000 Packs Chowderfest Over The Weekend

BEACH HAVEN, NJ - More than 15,000 visitors from across the country showed up at Chowderfest in Beach Haven over the weekend and broke the previous attendance record, a spokesperson for the Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce said.

"Thank you to all the attendees who traveled near or far to make Chowderfest part of their weekend," said Lori A. Pepenella.

Contestants in the best red and white chowder categories served up 3,000 gallons of chowder to event tasters, she said.

Chowderfest is one of many events held on Long Beach Island in the fall to extend the local economy and promote tourism past the traditional Labor Day Weekend.

Here's the winners in the various categories:

New England (white)

Grand Champion: Howard's Seafood

Second place: The Chicken or the Egg

Third place: Country Kettle Chowda

Manhattan (Red)

Grand Champion: Lefty's Tavern

Second Place: Stefano's LBI

Third Place: Black Whale Bar & Fish House

Best Creative Chowder: Blue Water Cafe LBI

Second Place: La Bamba Mexican Restaurant

Third Place: Cuisine on the Green at Atlantis

Rookie of the Year Chowder: Delaware Avenue Oyster House

The Chowderfest Committee has already begun plans for an epic 30th Anniversary Chowderfest Weekend for next Sept. 29 and Sept. 30 2018, Pepenella said.

For more information on how to get involved in the regional chamber's efforts of building the local economy and accredited destination marketing efforts please contact them at 609 494 7211, www.visitLBIregion.com, or stop into their visitor center at 265 W Ninth Street in Ship Bottom. Stay connected with Chowderfest all year on facebook @theofficialLBIChowderfest or on www.chowderfest.com

Image: Chowderfest Facebook page. Photo: Patricia A. Miller