SEBASTIAN — “I think, Therefore I Clam!” could be the mantra of the dozens of clam chowder chefs encouraged to compete in the annual cook-off during the Sebastian Clambake Lagoon Festival coming up in a couple weekends. The event celebrates Sebastian’s way of life along the Indian River.
Organizers of the festival are encourage those who think they have “best chowder on the planet” to bring a Crockpot-full to the Gazebo at Riverview Park on Sunday, Nov. 6, by 12:30 p.m. Judges will sample each entry and name the winners.
What remains of the entries will then be auctioned off to the Clambake’s visitors to cap off the three-day festival, which begins Friday, Nov. 4.
“We’re not raising our prices,” said Clambake Foundation President Anjani Cirillo, adding that the decision was made to hold the line on prices for food tickets and merchandise, despite the declining economy.
“Families should be able to come,” Cirillo said of justifying the fixed price.
Along with the traditional seafood booths visitors have come to expect, a friend of a volunteer has offered to transport her brick oven from New Hampshire to provide classic hand-tossed brick fired pizza – a first for the festival.
Cirillo said that they have no plans to offer seafood pizza – this year. Next year, though, could be a different story.
“We’ll see how it goes,” she said – noting that changes could be made based on feedback from festival-goers.
One such change that comes at the request participants is the addition of Clambake Festival tank tops. Last year, the foundation added long-sleeved shirts, again, at the behest of festival participants.
“We listened,” Cirillo said.
This year’s slogan is “I think, Therefore I Clam!” and is represented with a logo consisting of Einstein coming out of a clamshell with a chalk board proclaiming “Eat = (More Clams)2.”
Aside from the food and chowder cook-off, visitors are expected to descend on Riverview Park over three days to browse numerous arts, crafts and vendor booths, listen to live music, peruse boats, take part in a sand volleyball tournament, and even dance contests.
Children can play in the Kid’s Zone, climbing a rock wall and bouncing in various inflatables.
“The whole reason we do it is to make money for our charities,” Cirillo said of holding the annual Clambake Lagoon Festival.
This year, the festival will benefit Economic Opportunities Council (Head Start), Sebastian Soccer Association, HALO Animal Rescue, and By the River senior housing. The Clambake Foundation has granted more than $310,000 to local charities to date.
