17th Annual Pleasure Island Chowder Cook-off Features Area’s Best Seafood Chowder, Music & Family Fun
If savoring seafood chowder in an island beach setting fits with your idea of springtime fun, come to Carolina Beach, North Carolina for the 17th Annual Pleasure Island Chowder Cookoff on Saturday, April 13. Visitors to Wilmington, NC and island beaches should bring their appetites for food and fun to Carolina Beach Lake Park to experience an afternoon immersed in a tasty competition as they sample and judge local seafood chowder
The 2013 Pleasure Island Chowder Cook-off is a family-oriented event that is all about delicious food, good music, and fun for all ages. Chefs from Carolina Beach, Wilmington, and beyond will prepare their best seafood chowder recipes between the hours of 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Guests will enjoy live music and savory chowder, while children can make a beeline for the park’s playground and Kidz Zone where they’ll find face-painting, a giant inflatable house, Carolina Beach Fire Department’s Smoke House, and more. For an additional fee, paddleboat and surrey rides are available. At 5:00 p.m., the People’s and Judges’ Choice Awards are announced.
During the cook-off, chowder is available on a first-come, first-served basis, so arrive early to enjoy the live music and chowder-tasting (and voting) between 12:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Island restaurants that are participating this year include: Deck House Casual Dining, Havana’s Fresh Island Restaurant, The Bistro at Courtyard by Marriott, Lazy Pirate, The Landing of Carolina Beach, and The Twisted Lime. Wilmington restaurants include Sawmill Restaurant and Shucker’s Oyster Bar & Grill. Shallotte’s The Grille will also return to the friendly chowder competition. The day-long chowder showcase features live entertainment by the ever-popular Mark Roberts Band (variety dance band) at Carolina Beach Lake Park’s Stingray Amphitheater.
Want to go? Gates open Saturday, April 13 at 11:30am. A modest admission charge of $5 for adults will gain access to this family event. Admission is free for children ages 12 and under. No coolers permitted, as beverages and food will be available for sale. Chairs, blankets and children are welcome, but please leave pets at home.
Festivals and events provide a fun and affordable way to experience the history, culture, and traditions of a region. This annual event is one of many presented throughout the year by the Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce. For additional information on the 2013 Pleasure Island Chowder Cook-off and other island events, please call 910-458-8434 or visit www.pleasureislandnc.org.
Arrive early and enjoy a full weekend of fun exploring the destination’s 50+ attractions from the river to the sea. It’s an easy drive to Wilmington, N.C.’s island beaches along US-74 from Charlotte and I-40 from the state’s Triangle and Triad regions. For a free 2013 Official Visitors Guide forWilmington, North Carolina’s historic river district and the island beaches of Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, and Wrightsville Beach, call 1-866-266-9690 or 910-341-4030. Or, visit website www.GoWilmingtonAndBeaches.com for destination information, seasonal specials, and a complete calendar of events. For last-minute hotel discounts, visit www.sunnysavers.com.