WESTPORT, Conn. – Chowdafest has been named the Connecticut Governor's 2018 Tourism Volunteer(s) of the Year recipient. “This is quite an honor, especially when you consider the myriad of great destinations and events we have across our state,” said Jim Keenan, Chowdafest executive director. “Our continued success over the past 10 years is due in no small part to our volunteers’ passion for the event, desire to help us feed the hungry and their infectious exuberance. It resonates with all who attend!”
The bulk of Chowdafest volunteers are student athletes from both Fairfield University and Sacred Heart University, which are both located in Fairfield, CT. Between both universities, they provide approximately 400 volunteers.
“Part of the fabric of our student-athlete experience is the dedication to both social responsibility and community involvement,” said Pioneers Executive Director of Athletics, Bobby Valentine. “They thrive on the ability to make a difference within our community and we are proud of their commitment and enthusiasm towards causes such as Chowdafest.”
“Our student athletes love going beyond their field of play,” said Paul Schlickmann, Fairfield University Director of Athletics. “They know efforts like volunteering at Chowdafest makes a difference. Last year the event raised enough to provide over a half-million meals in the on-going fight against food insecurity.”
Chowdafest, presented by Stop & Shop, began 11 years ago with just a few hundred people attending the chowder, soup & bisque competition, but with the event now experiencing crowds of over 12,000 people, the number of volunteers needed has increased. “What's cool is that over the years, the various teams have become very good in one area of help like ticketing, parking, sustainability, working with our ‘little necks’ or working with the restaurants or sponsors. It's a sense of pride and has now become a tradition with each team having ownership of their responsibilities,” said Keenan.
The 2018 New England Chowdafest will be held Sunday Sept 30th at Sherwood Island State Park in Westport, CT and is sponsored by Stop & Shop, AAA Northeast, BlumShapiro, Cabot Creamery, Chica de Gallo, City Carting, CT Bites, Copp's Island Oysters, Dole Fresh Vegetables, Even Hotel, The Farmer's Cow, HamletHub, Harney & Sons Tea, Local Food Rocks, Lowe's, Michele's Pies, MINI of Fairfield County, New England Coffee, Nounos Creamery, OmnomCT, Ocean Spray, Peapod by Stop & Shop, People's United Bank, Polar Beverages, WEBE 108, Wave Hill Bakery, Welch's, Westminster Bakery and Yankee Magazine.