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Chowderfest is not going away, it is just going to look a little different this year, organizers announced.
For the safety of everyone, Discover Saratoga has altered the highly anticipated annual event for 2021, introducing Saratoga Chowder Tour.
The group has developed a week-long event, running from Saturday, Jan. 30, through Saturday, Feb. 6, where patrons can get a cup or bowl of chowder at participating Saratoga County restaurants and vote for their favorite online.
Participants businesses will also have pints and quarts of chowder to-go.
“Due to COVID-19, we had to reimagine Chowderfest this year,” said Discover Saratoga President Darryl Leggieri. “To ensure the safety of everyone, Saratoga Chowder Tour will be a social distance-friendly event spanning over a week. There will be no crowds, no vendors serving samples outside, no shuttle service this year, and no blocked off streets, but there will still be lots of delicious chowder to enjoy inside our local restaurants or to-go.”
Saratoga Chowder Tour will allow customers to sample chowder at multiple restaurants throughout the week, avoiding overcrowding of restricted space. They can safely vote online in the comfort of their homes.
Reservations are strongly recommended due to limited capacity and spacing requirements inside local restaurants.
“It was very important to us to keep Chowderfest going to support our local restaurants and retailers,” said Leggieri. “There will be a lot of new features this year, including chowder to-go and an online store.”
Discover Saratoga has partnered with T-Shirt Graphics of Ballston Spa to create an online store to sell official Saratoga Chowder Tour gear. Customers can choose from several different shirts and hats and have them shipped directly to their house. The online store will close on Feb. 7 at 11:59 p.m.
All voting will take place online at discoversaratoga.org/chowderfest/vote and end promptly on Feb. 6 at 5 p.m. Winners will be announced on social media later that evening.
This event is presented by DeCrescente Distributing Co. and Saranac, and sponsored by B 95.5, iHeartMedia, 107.7 GNA, Q 105.7 Classic Rock, Saratoga.com, Star Radio 93.3, Saratoga Today, The Daily Gazette, Stewart’s Shops, Saratoga RV Park, Playbill Travel, T-Shit Graphics, The Saratogian and The Post Star.
For more information, including a list of participating chowder vendors and discounted hotel rates, please visit discoversaratoga.org/chowderfest or call (518) 584-1531.