SEA ISLE CITY – Even though a gentle rain initially greeted festival-goers as they arrived at Marina Park along 42nd Place for the Sea Isle City Chamber of Commerce and Revitalization’s annual Harborfest celebration Oct. 4, before long the sun was shining and people were fully enjoying the festival’s food trucks, craft vendors, balloon artists, face painters and the upbeat music provided by the Daisy Jug Band.
Later in the day, the festival’s Chowder Competition featured a variety of hearty concoctions created by chefs from local restaurants. For $5, festival-goers could sample each of the chowders then vote for their favorite entry. Ultimately, Casino Steaks & Pizza (Chowder #3) and The Braca Café & Henri’s Bar (Chowder #6) tied for first place and will share the festival’s “Chowder Trophy” for the next year. The other chowders entered in the contest, which were submitted by Basilico’s Ristorante, DeNunzio’s Brick Oven Pizza & Grille, Mako’s American Grille, The Lincoln Grill at KIX-McNutleys and The Lobster Loft Restaurant, each received honorable mention.
At 2:00 p.m., bag pipe music began to fill the air, indicating that the start of the festival’s annual “Blessing of the Fleet,” which was led by Deacon Liam O’Clisham, of Saint Joseph Catholic Church. During the ceremony, O’Clisham prayed for the safety of Sea Isle’s numerous commercial fishermen prior to blessing their vessels, which enjoy safe-harbor at the resort’s commercial docks along 42nd Place.
At 3:00 p.m. the festival’s exciting Clam Eating Contest attracted a large crowd of spectators. During this popular event, which was sponsored by The Lobster Loft Restaurant, twelve contestants rapidly consumed scores of raw clams during several rounds of competition. In the end, Michael Rutledge, 45, of Ocean View, NJ, was declared Sea Isle’s 2014 Raw Clam Eating Champion. Rutledge, who received a trophy and a $75 gift certificate to The Lobster Loft, narrowly defeated second place winner Wesley “Spyder” Bridges, 28, of Philadelphia, who won a $50 gift certificate, and Mike Tyrrell, 27, of Upper Township, NJ, who took home the third place prize of a $25 gift certificate. The competition’s entrance fee of $20 per contestant will benefit autism charities.
To learn about other events being hosted by the Sea Isle City Chamber of Commerce and Revitalization, visit www.seaislechamber.com or phone (609) 263-9090.
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