In Case You Missed It - Pleasure Island Chowder Cook-Off is CANCELLED

The 21st Annual Pleasure Island Chowder Cook-Off is officially CANCELLED.

In case you haven't heard the news, the Pleasure Island Chowder Cook-Off, originally scheduled for April 8, 2017, has officially been cancelled. It is with a sense of pride, remembrance and sorrow that we announce the end of this signature spring event after 20 great years.

The Chowder Cook-Off celebrated delicious area food, great music and fun for the entire family. Chefs from southeast North Carolina's finest restaurants each brought their own unique chowder recipes - seafood or otherwise - and invited guests to sample and judge the selections. Attendees were able to sample a true taste of Cape Fear during this friendly chowder competition, held each spring at Carolina Beach Lake Park in Carolina Beach. Kids were able to play in the park's playground and the Kidz Zone, with face painting, a giant inflatable slide, laser tag and more. The sounds of live music filled the air all day as the children played and the grownups enjoyed a few adult beverages along with scrumptious chowder.

Although the event was much loved by the local community, after careful consideration, the Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors decided to officially end the annual event. Unfortunately, the Chowder Cook-Off became a victim of the increasingly high cost of seafood, lack of restaurant participation and the growing complexities of outdoor events.

The Board will be meeting very soon with the assistance of the local restaurant community to determine a future culinary-based event (or events) to showcase our area's restaurants and food purveyors.

In the meantime, the 2017 season will not be without fun events, great food and lively music! The first ever Spring Pleasure Island Seafood Blues and Jazz Festival will be held at the Fort Fisher Air Force Recreation Area on Sunday, April 23, with 12 great bands on two stages with plenty of seafood, face-painting, laser-tag, crafters, artists, beer and wine, and fun for all ages. This inaugural Spring event will feature headliners Jonny Lang and Samantha Fish along with ten other bands overlooking the banks of the might Cape Fear River in Kure Beach, NC.

For more information, please feel free to contact the Pleasure Island Chamber of Commerce at (910) 458-8434.