Chili Chowder Fest is this Sunday!
The Ocean City Restaurant Association’s Third Annual Chili Chowder Festival is this Sunday
OCEAN CITY, NJ – The Ocean City Restaurant Association (OCRA) will host its third annual Chili Chowder Festival at the Music Pier on Sunday, October 14 from 1-4pm. Wristbands are for sale at each of the three fire houses and Randazzo’s or are available at the Music Pier during the festival. Wristbands are $15 for adults and $5 for kids and include a bottle of water. They can also be purchased this Friday, October 12 at the Fire Department Open House at Fire Headquarters, 550 Asbury Avenue, from 5 – 8pm.
Last year, the festival raised $4,000 for the Ocean City Firefighters Foundation run by the local #4032 union of the International Association of Firefighters. They are hoping to raise similar funds at this year’s event, which will also go to the Firefighters Foundation. These funds are distributed to the local Ocean City community. One of the recipients is Waves of Caring, an Ocean City non-profit organization.
“The firefighters have been donating to Waves of Caring for 30 years. In the early years, their donations and their manpower was a major contributor to Waves of Caring. They helped sustain a struggling program. Today, their donations help us with our many programs we support annually,” said Fire Chief and Waves of Caring Chairman James Smith.
Everyone is invited to taste steaming cups of chili and chowder from restaurants all over Ocean City. Taste dishes from restaurants you love or ones you’re about to love. Varsity Inn, Yianni’s, Bennie’s Bread and Italian Market, Jon and Patty’s, Arlene’s, Island Grill, Randazzo’s, and Cousin’s are all participating again this year.
Also coming back to the Music Pier is the almost-legendary Chili Cook Off between the three Fire Stations in OC. Last year’s winner Stephen Peifer is back to defend his title. Taste the chilis and decide who wins the Fire Station battle. Water will be provided. Bring the family for the fun – dance along to the DJ’s tunes, grab a pic at the photo cutout, and enjoy free giveaways for the kids.
OCRA is committed not only to serving delicious food, but to giving back to the community through fundraising events like the Chili Chowder Festival. This year’s beneficiary – the Ocean City Firefighters Foundation is a local organization that is supported by direct donations throughout the year such as this one given by OCRA. The Firefighters Foundation also raises money through tee shirt sales and through fundraising events. The monies are then bundled into scholarships and rewards that are distributed locally to Ocean City High School, Intermediate, and Primary school students as well as to the Junior Miss Ocean City Pageant, the Community Cupboard, OC Exchange Club, Boy Scouts, and the Humane Society. For more information on the Foundation, visit www.oceancityfirefighters.com.
The festival is sponsored by Ocean City Magazine – www.ocnjmagazine.com. For more information, please visit www.EatinOCNJ.com or email [email protected].