Celebrate Sea Isle City’s rich fishing industry during the Sea Isle City Chamber of Commerce and Revitalization’s annual Harborfest on Saturday, Sept. 29, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The event will be held in Marina Park at 42nd Place and the bay and features live music, delicious seafood and a variety of craft and specialty vendors.
“September is one of the best months to visit Sea Isle City and Harborfest is a great event that the entire family can enjoy together,” said Barbara Steele, the event coordinator. “The Daisy Jug Band is set to perform, and we will host the clam-eating and chowder contests again this year, which usually draw a crowd.”
The day will feature food and market vendors in front of The Oar House Pub, games for the entire family, and the popular chowder and raw-clam eating contests.
From noon to 2 p.m., children will have a chance to paint and create a masterpiece on canvas at the Art Bar. The Harborfest Chowder Contest kicks off at 1 p.m., featuring chowders from area restaurants. For $5, guests will “blind” taste test their way through the entries, sampling each restaurant’s chowder and then placing a vote for their favorite.
The annual Harborfest celebration features family-friendly entertainment to complement the seafood. (Courtesy Sea Isle City Chamber of Commerce and Revitalization)
Local religious leaders will participate in the Blessing of the Fleet ceremony at 2 p.m. The ecumenical service will be held along the fishing docks at 42nd Place and features traditional bagpipe music.
Following the ceremony, the raw clam-eating contest is scheduled for 3 p.m. Participants will race to eat the largest number of raw bivalves in the shortest amount of time. This year’s winner will receive a trophy and a gift certificate to The Oar House Pub. There is a $20 entry fee, with the proceeds benefiting the Mike’s Seafood Polar Bear Run-Walk for Autism.
The Chamber of Commerce and Revitalization invites the public to come and enjoy Sea Isle’s largest seafood event of the year. Harborfest will be held rain or shine. For more information, go to http://www.seaislechamber.com/.
