Posted: Friday, October 23, 2015 2:00 am
By Dimitra Lavrakas Staff Writer
ESSEX — Looks like it’ll be a beautiful day to be outside enjoying clams, beer and music this on Saturday, Oct. 24, when Essex plays host to the 33rd ClamFest and the Ales for ALS Homebrew Competition.
The ClamFest, celebrating the town’s signature bivalve, will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Shepard Memorial Park, 24 Martin St., behind Town Hall, and is hosted and coordinated by the Essex Division of the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce.
The ClamFest’s clam chowder contest is always a tasty treat for visitors who for $5 can sample and vote on all the contestant entries. Bring their best will be Ipswich ClamBake; Foreign Affairs in Manchester; Mile Marker One, Lobsta Land and Wally’s Bistro, all of Gloucester; the Shuckin’ Truck; and the hometown team of Shea’s Riverside, Windward Grille, CK Pearl and Woodman’s, with bragging rights as the reward. Some proceeds from the tasting will go to the fifth-grade class at Essex Elementary School, said chamber spokeswoman Kerry McKenna.
While there is a small cost to sample lots of chowder, the rest of the ClamFest is free. McKenna said more than 80 vendors, including artists, craftsmen and nonprofit groups, will be displaying goods and offering information and a few freebies.
And for those who don’t appreciate chowder, she said there will be 10 more vendors selling food, ranging from hot dogs and hamburgers, to beer and ice cream.
The entertainment line-up is stellar this year with musician Zach Morrison kicking it off, a police K-9 demonstration, then Nashville’s Lexi James will perform, DJ Bill C will spin tunes, and local band Uncharted Watah’s closes the day with a show from 3 to 4 p.m.
Uncharted Watah’s is made up of police personnel from surrounding communities and other players who’ve been together for seven years.
“We mix it up a little, classical rock from the ’70s up to today,” said Essex police Chief Peter Silva, who plays drums and 12-string guitar in the band. “We play tunes from Chicago, Eagles, Elton John, Garth Brooks, things like that.”
Meanwhile, at the Essex Shipbuilding Museum, from 3 to 7 p.m., the Ales for ALS Homebrew Competition will be in full swing. Sample beers from commercial breweries such as Portico Brewing Co., Cape Ann Brewing Co. and the Ipswich Ale Brewery. There’s also food from local restaurants Iggy’s Bread of the World, Kate’s Table and Woodman’s of Essex.
Read the full article on gloucestertimes.com.
