In the News

Over 1000 people visited the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee on Sunday, September 30 to taste and vote on chowders prepared by restaurants from throughout the Lakes Region at the 20th Annual Chowderfest.  Radio stations Oldies 99 & 104.9 have been organizing this event for two decades to bring together local restaurants and the community in a fun and flavorful fall fundraiser to benefit the Lakes Region Conservation Trust. 

Held at Hesky Park in Meredith each year, this popular event draws people from near and far to sample unique chowders and vote on which restaurant will win the Lakes Region's Best Chowder title and claim the Chowder Bowl for the upcoming year. 

The huge tent was packed throughout the afternoon, a continuous stream of new faces and enthusiasm.  Oldies 99 & 104.9 broadcast Chowderfest updates live from beneath the tent, and great music created a festive atmosphere. Ten restaurants from throughout the region participated: Mulligan's Restaurant (Northfield), The Lakeside Restaurant (Gilford), T-Bones and Cactus Jack's (Laconia), Black Snout Tavern (Moultonborough), Water Street Café (Laconia), The Lodge at Belmont (Belmont), Kevin's Café (Moultonborough), Sunrise Café (Laconia), Camp (Meredith), and Abondante (Meredith). It was a beautiful, crisp fall day, perfect for gathering together to be part of this delicious annual tradition. 

Expressions on people's faces showed the concentration and careful thought that went into each taste and vote.  When the final votes were counted, Abondante's chowder took Second Place, Mulligan's chowder was Runner-Up, and The Lodge at Belmont's chowder won First Place.  The Lodge at Belmont will keep the Chowder Bowl until the September 2008 Chowderfest.

Funds raised from the Chowderfest are donated each year by Oldies 99 & 104.9 to the Lakes Region Conservation Trust (LRCT), an independent, non-profit organization that protects key wildlife habitat, preserves freshwater and wilderness resources, and provides for public access to conservation lands for thoughtful recreation in the Lakes Region.  LRCT has protected more than 20,000 acres of conservation land in the region to date, including approximately 22 miles of shoreline on the region's lakes and ponds, 19 summits, and approximately 75 miles of hiking trails.  To learn more, visit LRCT's website at www.lrct.org, call 603-279-3246, or e-mail lrct@metrocast.net.

The Lakes Region Conservation Trust is extremely grateful to Oldies 99 & 104.9 for 20 years of generous support of land conservation efforts throughout the region through Chowderfest.