SCHEDULE / PROGRAMMING
The Main Stage
Sounds of Seafood Fest
Saturday, 9/14
Sunday, 9/15
The Chowder Cook-Off
Presented by South Jersey Gas
benefiting the Community Food Bank of NJ
One of the highlights of the Downbeach Seafood Festival is the Chowder Cook-Off. Attendees will have the opportunity to sample and determine what restaurant's chowder deserves the title of the 2023 Seafood Festival Chowder Cook-Off Champion.
In honor of September being National Hunger Action Month, The Atlantic City Seafood Festival will once again partner with the Community Food Bank of New Jersey by donating the proceeds to this important organization. Hunger Action Month, a nationwide Feeding America campaign, challenges the public to take action by promoting ways for individuals everywhere to get involved with the movement to help solve the issue of hunger in America! In 2023, through the Chowder Cook-Off, the Festival and restaurant's goal is to raise $5,000 which is the equivalent of $100,000 in food distributed throughout the Garden State! This year, we plan on increasing that donation with the support of our participating restaurants and festival attendees, one cup of chowder at a time!
To participate, attendees can purchase their Chowder Cook-Off tickets at the chowder tent for $10. Participants will be given tickets to try each chowder presented and they will also get 2 votes to cast for their favorite chowder.
Chowder Cook off times: Saturday, September 14th from 12pm to 4pm, and Sunday, September 15th, 12pm - 4pm.
Cape Harbor Shellfish presents
The oyster tour of the shore!
We’re taking you on a trip through NJ with an Oyster Tour of the Shore! Get a taste of some Jersey’s most exquisite oysters at the Downbeach Seafood Festival!
Featuring oysters from:
Cape May Salts
Brigantine Oyster Company
Mcgee’s Shellfish
Salty Soul Oyster Co.
Ludlam Bay Oyster Co.
Tucker Island Oysters
South Jersey Beer Scene presents
Great Brews of NJ
Tasting Tent
Over the years, the Great Brews of NJ tent has grown to become a mini Beer Festival within the Seafood Festival. This area will include 10 of NJ's favorite breweries for your sipping pleasure! Tasting tickets are 10 for $10! Tasting Tent opens at Noon. Must be 21 to enter.
Crab Cake Eating Contest
Presented by Jay's Crab Shack
The return of our ever-popular Crab Cake Eating Contest is happening again this year on September 14th & 15th! Sponsored by our friends at Jay's Crab Shack
Sign-ups are at the Jays Crab Shack tent prior to the scheduled time of the contest each day, and it's FREE to enter!
(This is NOT a professional eating competition, anyone is welcome to sign up but space is VERY limited!)
South Pacific Island Dancers
Be sure to check out the live performances from the South Pacific Island Dancers. As the Tri-State Area's largest and longest running Polynesian Entertainment Group, the South Pacific Island Dancers have been the leaders in Live Luau Entertainment and Polynesian Dance education for over 25 consecutive years!
The South Pacific Island Dancers will be performing throughout the day all over the festival grounds, Saturday & Sunday, September 14th & 15th. You don't want to miss out on this unique entertainment!
Cooking Demos
Join these fabulous chefs as they cook up their favorite seafood dishes live under the eat-in tent! Learn their secret tips and tricks for creating mouth-watering dishes and sample them too!