NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — A newcomer beat out some longtime favorites in the 23rd annual Winterfest Chowder Cook-Off on Saturday.
Clarksburg School, in its first showing, won the People's Choice voting while Grazie, which has won top spots twice in the past, was selected by a panel of judges as the best chowder in the city.
More than 4,000 samples from 14 entrants were slurped down at The Green on Main Street over a two-hour period on Saturday afternoon.
Judges were Nick Moulton, chef of Mezze Bistro in Williamstown; Nina Zacek, general manager of Tourists; and Cheryl Adams, a DJ at WUPE.FM. They blind taste-tested all 14 entrants and declared Grazie as the winner. Grazie also won in People's Choice and came in third in judging in 2018.
Second place went to Bounti-Fare, which frequently places in the top three for judging and People's Choice, and Wild Oats Market, which served up a shrimp chowder this year.
Judges' Choice winners were announced to the participants at the end of the event and a total of 351 ballots were cast for People's Choice favorites and write-ins for the Only in North Adams most unique chowder award. Those ballots were tallied and the results announced on Sunday.
For Peoples' Choice, voters were asked to rank their top three favorites, though many just picked one. Competitors were awarded 3 points for every 1st place mark, 2 points for each 2nd place mark, and 1 point for every 3rd place mark.
Clarksburg School received 333 points with its closest competitor another school — Dining Services at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, which has competed in the past. MCLA racked up 271 points and third place was A-OK Berkshire BBQ with 202 points.
There were 199 votes written in for most unique chowder, with another newcomer, Wigwam Western Summit, winning "Only in North Adams" for earning 25 votes for its chicken chowder with bacon topping.
This category was a tight race, according to organizers, with only 3 points total difference between the winner and 5th place.
The city's tourism and events director Suzy Helme delivers chowder to the judges, who selected Grazie as this year's winner.
Every single entry was picked as 1st place by at least one of the voters. Participants were A-OK Berkshire BBQ, Berkshire Food Project, Berkshire Palate, Boston Sea Food, Bounti-Fare, The Capitol Restaurant, Clarksburg School, Gramercy Bistro, Grazie, MCLA Dining Services, McCann Technical School Culinary Arts, Sweetwood of Williamstown, Wigwam Western Summit, and Wild Oats Market.
Winterfest also included a farmers' market with local products and foods, a craft market, some fantastic ice sculptures, marshmallow roasting on Holden Street, hot chocolate in the morning at MoutainOne, music, wagon rides on Main Street and free skating at Vietnam Veterans Memorial Skating Rink.
The city and organizers congratulated this year's participants and invited them to return next year. Winterfest 2021 will be Saturday, Feb. 20.
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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.
In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.
Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear.
The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.
"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."
Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.
In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.
The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.
"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.
The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.
In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.
"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
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