CHANNEL ISLANDS HARBOR : Festival to Feature Chowder Cook-Off

A chowder cook-off will take place Sept. 23 at the Maritime Days celebration at Channel Islands Harbor.

The contest is open to amateur and professional chefs from Ventura County. Any variety of seafood chowder will be accepted.

The cook-off will be at 3950 Bluefin Circle at the harbor. Cooking will begin at 10 a.m. and free public tasting will start at 12:30 p.m.

Amateur winners will receive ribbons and gift certificates, and the victor in the professional category will receive a full-page advertisement in the Ventura County and Coast Reporter.

Other events at the seventh annual Maritime Days celebration will include the Pirate’s Ball, from 5 to 11 p.m. Sept. 22 at Fisherman’s Wharf; a beach cleanup, from 9 a.m. to noon Sept. 23; a classic yacht parade, from 10 to 11 a.m. Sept. 24 at West and Main Channel; and a sand-sculpture contest, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 24 at Silver Strand Beach.

A fishing derby for children ages 4 to 15 will take place from 9 a.m. to noon Sept. 23 and 24 at the Marine Emporium. Entry is $2 and children must bring their own fishing poles.

SeaBee Museum tours will be offered from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sept. 23 and 24.

Music, art displays, children’s crafts and other activities will also be featured during the weekend.

For more information on Maritime Days or to enter the chowder cook-off, call the Channel Islands Harbor Assn. of Lessees at 985-4852.