Soup’s On at the 2015 Swantown Boatswap and Chowder Challenge

0 Shares

 

çhowder challenge
Attendees line up for the Port of Olympia Boatswap & Chowder Challenge.

“Clam chowder is one of those subjects, like politics or religion, that can never be discussed lightly. Bring it up even incidentally, and all the innumerable factions of the clam bake regions raise their heads and begin to yammer.” Louis De Gouy was chef at the Waldorf-Astoria for more than three decades but could have been describing the annual Port of Olympia Boatswap and Chowder Challenge.

Port of Olympia Marketing & Community Relations Coordinator Jennie Foglia-Jones explains that the Challenge “started in 1996 with about 500 attendees, grew to 10-12 restaurants and 7,000 attendees in 2007, took a 5 year hiatus, came back in 2013 with 5,000 attendees and has quickly increased to 6,000-7,000 expected attendees and ten restaurants competing this year.”

The event takes place at Swantown Marina on Saturday, June 20. Between 11:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. visitors can purchase boats and nautical items, explore community vendor booths, enjoy live on-stage entertainment, and do their civic duty one beer at a time. This year is the first time they will offer an on-site beer garden put on by the Olympia Firefighters Civic Foundation and sponsored by the Rotary Club of Tumwater.

çhowder challenge
Taste as many chowders as you like for $5 during the Port of Olympia Boatswap & Chowder Challenge.

With summer vacation going strong, kids can enjoy a bounce house, inflatable obstacle course, face painting, crafts, and an amply stocked trout pond. The activities are free and open to all ages.

Don’t forget to bring your appetite as well. Explains Port of Olympia Communications and Public Affairs Manager Kathleen White, “Here is how it works: from 1:00 p.m. until 2:30 p.m., the chowder will flow. Tasters pay $5 to receive a commemorative tasting mug and a token. Participants can have as many tastes as they want until the chowder runs out, then they will use their token to vote for their favorite chowder. At 3:15 p.m., Port officials will announce the winners of the People’s Choice and the Chef’s Choice.”

This year contestants include Emma’s Grill House, Darby’s Café, Fish Tale Brew Pub, Little Creek Casino, O’Blarney’s Irish Pub, Olympia Seafood, South Bay Pub and Eatery, Spunky Monkey Bar and Grill, The Sidewalk Café, and Vern’s Catering.

If chowder is not your thing, the Forza Coffee Company, Pizza Time, All Fed Up and Southbay BBQ will be on-site with an assortment of food and beverage options.

boatswap chowder challenge
The 2015 Port of Olympia Boatswap & Chowder Challenge is slated for Saturday, June 20. It’s fun for the whole family.

Events like this are a great way to bring the community together. Continued sponsorship by generous local businesses like Little Creek Resort and Casino, Duncan and Associates Insurance Brokers, Tom’s Outboard, 94.5 Roxy, Budd Bay Promotions and Apparel, KGY/KAYO Radio, Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater Visitor and Convention Bureau, Panowicz Jewelers, Inlet Marine Services, Twin Star Credit Union, and South Sound Bank keep local spirit alive.

Few things are as universally beloved as clam chowder. Even Herman Melville sang its praises in the pages of ‘Moby Dick:’ “But when that smoking chowder came in, the mystery was delightfully explained. Oh! sweet friends, hearken to me. It was made of small juicy clams, scarcely bigger than hazel nuts, mixed with pounded ship biscuits and salted pork cut up into little flakes! the whole enriched with butter, and plentifully seasoned with pepper and salt…..we dispatched it with great expedition.”

Don’t miss this opportunity to sample the work of amazing local chefs while exploring nautical treasures and letting the kids bounce off some summer energy.

çhowder challengeQuestions about this year’s event or for info on how to participate next year can be directed to the Port of Olympia offices at 360-528-8005.

Boatswap and Chowder Challenge

Swantown Marina

Saturday, June 20 from 11:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

 

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
0 Shares