Since 1992
Print and digital marketing
BETHEL — Bethel Harvestfest and Chowdah Cookoff — a quintessential fall festival now celebrating its 20th anniversary — will take place Saturday, Sept. 16, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. featuring art, crafts, music, food and a farmer’s market, all on the town common.
The chowder contest anchors the event, with up to a dozen local restaurants putting forth their best recipes. “There are no restrictions on ingredients, so chefs like to get creative,” said Jessie Perkins, event organizer at the Bethel Area Chamber of Commerce. Locally-grown baked potatoes and corn, plus food off the grill, also will be available.
The schedule includes live music much of the day, free horse-drawn wagon rides, kids’ craft activities, a chainsaw-carving demonstration, and special events around town. More than 40 vendors comprising artists, crafters, farms, and local nonprofits will round out the offerings on the town common.
“Harvest time is an especially beautiful time of the year when people naturally want to gather together,” said Perkins. “The Harvestfest & Chowdah Cookoff is a fun way to celebrate that time and that feeling.”
Bakers from near and far are invited to compete in the apple pie contest, which has three categories — professional bakers, amateur traditional recipe (consisting of a double-crust pie filled with apples, sugar, and spices), and amateur non-traditional recipe, which allows bakers to show off their creativity with any ingredients. Winners in each category will take home gift certificates donated by the Good Food Store. After the pies are judged, slices will be sold.
Bethel Harvestfest & Chowdah Cookoff is presented by Hancock Lumber and organized by the Bethel Area Chamber of Commerce.
For information on entering the chowder or apple pie contests, volunteering, becoming a vendor, a detailed schedule is available at www.bethelharvestfest.com.
