NEWPORT, RI, May 20, 2009 – Florida, North Carolina, Maine, Washington state, California, Bermuda…competitors from all four corners of the country and beyond will be stirring it up with more than a dozen restaurants from New England (see complete list attached) at the ever-popular Schweppes Great Chowder Cook-Off on Saturday, June 6th, 2009 from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. at the Newport Yachting Center on America’s Cup Avenue in Newport.  Celebrating its 28th year, the event features 3,000 gallons of delicious chowder and a variety of entertainment for all ages.

The “chowda” world championships attract renowned chefs who serve “all you can eat” samples of their sumptuous creations to the thousands of attendee-judges.  The chefs compete for the coveted title of "Best Clam," "Best Seafood," and "Best Creative" chowder with bragging rights and prize money being awarded to the top three winners in each category.  Also returning again this year is the “Clam Shack” -- the ultimate clam cake competition, in which restaurants compete to make the most delicious clam cakes in New England.

“This is the first time we’ve had competitors from the far reaches of each part of our county as well as Bermuda,” said Mike Martin, Festival Director for the Newport Yachting Center.  “Believe me, they’re all taking the competition seriously and our local competitors are going to have to be on their game to keep the best chowder awards from leaving New England.”  After a close competition, last year's chowder winners were "Best Clam" –The Skipper Restaurant & Chowder House, Yarmouth, MA; "Best Seafood" –The Mooring Seafood Kitchen & Bar, Newport, RI; and "Best Creative"- The Boat House, Tiverton, RI.  The “Best Clam Cake” winner was Harmon’s Clam Cakes located in Kennebunkport, ME.

Three stages of musical entertainment, featuring the popular bands Chiva Bus, Hanna Main, The Ravers, Hitmen, Gina Wesley & Dreamcatcher and Billy Mitchell’s Buffet Party, will keep the toes taping.  For the shoppers in the crowd, a Marketplace with a variety of crafts and specialty items available for purchase and an extensive silent auction to benefit Hugs and Halos and other activities to raise money for local non-profits are planned.

A variety of kidSTOPs throughout the festival grounds will provide fun diversions for children, like face painting, a seaside chalk garden and “Clam I Am” make your own pet clam activity.  The Amica Family Fun Area will include bringing out your artistic side while helping the hungry here in Rhode Island.  Attendees will be able to view the beautiful work of McAuley House artists and have a chance to win and buy the art.  All proceeds will go to help the McAuley House fulfill its mission to provide basic needs to the most vulnerable in our community.  Children will also have the chance to get in the culinary spirit by decorating chef hats.  If that’s not enough, the 93.3 Coast FM Kidz ‘n Family Tent will feature casting and reeling in the fishing pond, fun summer-themed crafts, prizes and interactive stations.  Adding to the festive atmosphere will be Ron the Balloon Man twisting his creations, Clyde the Clam looking to come out of his shell and pirates Captain William Kidd & The Freeman of the Sea patrolling the shores.

Schweppes, the festival's title sponsor, will once again hand out free iced cold ginger ale for all attendees. Additionally, Barefoot Wines will be back with the popular "Barefoot Beach" where attendees can sample different wine varietals and play games to win prizes.  Or, you can relax at the Amstel Light Beer Garden and enjoy a libation from the authentic Amstel Light Beer Bike from Amsterdam.  Other sponsors of the event include Amica Insurance, Sovereign Bank, Southwest Airlines, Cardi's Superstores, Sea Watch International, Pepsi, Narragansett Beer, 10 Cane Rum, Verizon, Starbucks Coffee, Rockport, SVEDKA, Life is good, B101, Coast 93.3, and WPRI 12.

This year, the gates will open at 11:00 a.m. and the celebration will continue until 6:00 p.m. when the winners in each major category will be announced.  Ticket prices for the Schweppes Great Chowder Cook-Off are $17.00 for adults in advance of the show (ordered by May 29th) and $20.00 thereafter.  Children under the age of 12 are admitted for FREE with a paying adult.

In order to avoid ticket lines, advance tickets to the Schweppes Great Chowder Cook-Off can now be ordered online and printed at home by visiting www.newportwaterfrontevents.com.  You may also call or visit the Newport Yachting Center Box Office on 4 Commercial Wharf (off America’s Cup Avenue) in downtown Newport, (401) 846-1600, Ext 2.  For more information, please visit www.newportwaterfrontevents.com or contact Mike Martin at (401) 846-1600, Ext. 210 or Rich Travis at (401) 846-1600, Ext. 206.

“It’s all here!” at the Newport Yachting Center with a 2009 Newport Waterfront Events line-up which includes the 35th Annual Newport Spring Boat Show (May 15-17), the 28th Annual Schweppes Great Chowder Cook-Off (June 6), the 12th Annual Nantucket Nectars Sunset Music Series and the 9th Annual Newport Comedy Series (both held throughout the summer), the Newport Arts Festival (August 29-30); the 12th Annual Newport Waterfront Irish Festival (September 5 -7), the 39th Annual Newport International Boat Show (September 17-20), the 21st Annual Stop & Shop Taste of Rhode Island (October 3-4) and the 17th Annual International Oktoberfest (October 10-12).  All the events are held at the Newport Yachting Center in the “city by the sea” where beach-going, shopping, dining and enjoying the nightlife are often a part of the pre- or post-Newport Waterfront Events activity.