For more information on the event, including a schedule of music performances please [click here].
To view a list of participating restaurants, [click here].
Country Star Jimmy Wayne To Headline 2nd Annual ChowderFest
More than 30 restaurants expected to participate in growing event
For Immediate Release
Contact Jeff Buell- 270-4554
(August 28, 2008- TROY)- The second annual ChowderFest in the City of Troy will feature country music star Jimmy Wayne, while more than 30 restaurants are expected to participate on the culinary side. ChowderFest takes place on Saturday, September 20th beginning at 11 a.m.
Partnering with Country 107.7 WGNA, the City of Troy will welcome Jimmy Wayne to ChowderFest. Jimmy Wayne is currently in the Country Billboard Top 50 at number four with his smash hit “Do You Believe Me Now.” He has been on the chart for the past 22 weeks. This week he will appear on the Country Countdown USA show as his first song off the recently released album hits the top 5 on Country Radio for the first time.
“We are thrilled to be capping off our summer events with such an accomplished, young, and exciting country music act like Jimmy Wayne,” Mayor Harry J Tutunjian said. “This entire summer has been a blast in the City of Troy. Between the River Street Festival, Rockin’ On The River, the Troy Pig Out, and Eddie Money last week, and now culminating with the 2nd Annual ChowerFest, Troy has become a summer destination spot for people around the Northeast. We are providing people a reason to visit the City of Troy in the hope of getting them to come back again and again. It is starting to work.”
Just this week, Wayne was named the Great American Country Artist of the Month, as well as People Magazine’s “Hot Guy of the Month” for August. In 2004, Wayne had two top other songs reach the Top Ten- “Stay Gone” and “I Love You This Much.”
Regent Communications Vice-President and General Manager Robert Ausfeld added that "WGNA and Regent Communications are very happy to partner with the City of Troy for ChowderFest. It's a great event to wrap up the summer and kick off the fall in Troy!"
Last year, the ChowderFest was a great success, with more than 5,000 people filling one block of River Street north of the Green Island Bridge. Because of the unexpected turnout, the chowder disappeared 90 minutes into the festival. This year organizers have made a number of changes, including requiring a minimum amount of chowder made, regulating the size of the sample at 3 ounces, expanding the boundaries, and inviting additional restaurants.
Also being added to the menu is a minimum of $2,500 in prize money that will be awarded to the restaurants in the competition. The prize money will be broken down between “People’s Choice” and “Judged” categories. With the changes to the above rules, there will be more than 20,000 samples of chowder on hand.
“This event is growing at a phenomenal rate, and we are thrilled to be a part of it,” said Tosca Chef Larry said. “We started this last year to promote the City of Troy, and bring people here to show them what we have to offer. This is a tremendous opportunity to be part of something special, whether you are a participant or someone looking to have a good time.”
Organizers stressed that people interested in sampling the chowder should arrive at the festival earlier, rather than later. The Chowder portion of the event will begin at 11 a.m. and run until the chowder is gone. Jimmy Wayne is scheduled to play at 5 p.m. Local talent will be playing throughout the day.
The Troy Downtown Collaborative is once again organizing a summer event.
“We are pleased to be participating in the 2nd Annual ChowderFest along River Street in Troy,” TDC Executive Director Elizabeth Young stated. “Our mission is to create a more lively environment throughout the downtown area, and this another example of how to can accomplish that through many different partnerships.”
The sponsors for this year’s event are the City of Troy, WGNA, DeCresente Distributing, Tosca, Westminster Cracker, Chevrolet, County Waste, Pioneer Savings Bank, the Troy Downtown Collaborative and the Troy Record.
If any restaurants are interested in participating, there are a few spots left. For more information, or to register, please contact Jeff Buell at 270-4554 or Elizabeth Young at 727-9786.