News release

Sherbrooke Serves Up the Best Chowder

Nova Scotia Museum

Folks around Sherbrooke know that nothing beats a bowl of steaming hot seafood chowder. But who makes the best chowder in the community? Which restaurant makes the best chowder in the Antigonish-Eastern Shore tourism area?

These questions will be answered on Saturday, Aug. 25, when Sherbrooke Village hosts the second annual St. Mary's Chowderfest and Sherbrooke Shindig. After a successful launch last summer, organizers expect this year's event to be packed with family fun, and, of course, copious amounts of the classic East Coast seafood dish.

The day's events start at 10 a.m., with a community yard sale at the Sherbrooke Village Performance Centre until 3 p.m.

The seafood chowder competition starts at 3 p.m., with entrants registered in both local domestic and commercial categories. A panel of judges includes radio personalities Don MacKenzie from 1320 CKEC and 780 KIXX Country's Frank Lowe. The Historic Sherbrooke Village Development Society will sell bowls of its delicious chowder, with proceeds supporting improvements of the historic site. At 5 p.m., there will be a pie-eating contest open to the public.

A good old-fashioned shindig will start at 5:30 p.m., featuring Side Kixx, a Halifax-based country band led by Frank Lowe. Sheet Harbour's Fraser Newcombe and the Mountain Memories Bluegrass and Old Time Country Band will open the evening's entertainment.

Food concessions, amusements and many activities within the Sherbrooke Village site will also take place throughout the day. The festivities will be capped off with a fireworks display at dusk. The day's entertainment is free.

Those interested in entering the Chowderfest competition, or booking a yard sale table may contact Lynn Hayne at Sherbrooke Village toll-free, 1-888-743-7845. Chowder competition pre-registration deadline is Aug. 17.

For further information, including online registration, competition rules and regulations, and a complete schedule, visit www.sherbrookevillage.ca.