Submitted by The Port of Olympia
When the votes were tallied at the 2015 Boatswap & Chowder Challenge, the People’s Choice Award for the South Sound’s Finest Chowder went to Olympia Seafood, with Emma’s Grill House and Fish Tale Brewpub taking second and third places, respectively.
Fish Tale Brewpub won the Chefs’ Choice Award. The Best Decorated Booth Award went to Olympia Seafood.
Other competing restaurants were Emma’s Grill House, Darby’s Café, Fish Tale Brewpub, Little Creek Casino, O’Blarney’s Irish Pub, Olympia Seafood, South Bay Pub and Eatery, The Sidewalk Café and Vern’s Catering.
Each of the restaurants served up 25-30 gallons of their best chowder to over 1,300 tasters at the Port of Olympia event at Swantown Marina. Since the chowder is not restricted to clam, the restaurants prepared a delicious variety, including salmon and crab.
Appetites were also satisfied at Forza Coffee Company, All Fed Up and South Bay BBQ.
Festival-goers browsed and bought at the Boatswap which featured over 30 commercial and private vendors offering new and used boats, gear and wares.
Kids played in the bounce house, had their face painted, made crafts with the Hands on Children’s Museum, fished the trout pond and everyone enjoyed classic rock music by the Raucous Band.
The Olympia Firefighters Civic Foundation and Tumwater Rotary hosted a popular beer garden which was a new addition to the event this year.
Port Commissioners Bill McGregor and George L. Barner, Jr. thanked the community, restaurants, participating organizations and businesses, event sponsors and Port staff.
Many local sponsors offered generous support to bring this event to the community: 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.
The Port hosts the Boatswap & Chowder Challenge for the enjoyment of the community. It is not a fundraiser for any group.
