An annual Saratoga mid-winter tradition! Chowderfest is a community program of the Saratoga Convention & Tourism Bureau that takes place during Winter Weekend.  It is a fun thing to do on a cold winter day! It is a great time for the entire family.  You don't want to miss it!  For more information on Chowderfest or if you would like to become a member of the Bureau and sign up to participate, please contact Connie!

Here's how it works:  Pick up a ballot form at any participating establishment, taste different soups and chowders for a $1 a cup (3oz. serving) and vote for your favorite!  Complete your ballot form and pick up your official Chowderfest Long-sleeve T-shirt for $7.00! Ballot drop-offs and T-shirt locations will be at the Saratoga County Arts Center, the Saratoga Springs Visitor Center and Saratoga Springs City Center. Winner Awards Ceremony in front of the Saratoga Springs City Center at 6:00 p.m.!

• 
  RADIO DISNEY IS COMING TO CHOWDERFEST!
  Bring your little Chowderhounds to rock out to the sounds of Disney.  Come to the Saratogian’s parking lot (20 Lake Ave.) and let the kids dance their winter blues away with the Disney Road Crew from 2-3:30 pm. Radio Disney is sponsored by Allerdice Rent-All and the Saratogian.
• The Police Benevolent Association will be serving FREE hot chocolate and coffee in front of Piper Boutique from 11 am-4 pm.
• Saratoga Plan will have kid’s activities at the City Center.
• United Methodist Church will be handing out FREE hot chocolate at the City Center.
• On Friday afternoon, ice sculptor, Sean Taylor of Iceography in Oneonta, will begin carving a dog sled and dogs in front of the Visitor's Center. On Saturday, he will complete the masterpiece  and you can sample Pretwick Chase of Saratoga's chowder.

• Star 101.3 at the Saratoga Visitors Center from 11 am-1 pm
• The Mine has Live Jazz from 11 am-10 pm & DJ from 10 pm-close.
• Jacob & Anthony's American Grille has DJ Playground spinning tunes from 1-5 pm. Offering $2 Coors Light Drafts along with great Appetizer Specials at the Bar and of course $1 Chowder Samples. Pick up your Blue J&A Cup in front of the Hampton Inn for $2 Drafts! and make sure to grab some green beads from J&A with your cup for $2 Drafts during the Superbowl! 
• Eclectic Songs will be at the Saratoga Downtowner Motel from 11 am-2 pm.
• At Irish Times Pub & Resturant, Rich Ortiz will be entertaining the crowd on Saturday starting at 8.30 pm.
• The Parting Glass Day Entertainment: Irish Celtic Session & Irish Stepdancers from 12-3 pm.
• The Parting Glass Night Entertainment: Hair of the Dog, $13 cover, need reservations, 8 pm.
• EQX will be at the City Center from 1-3 pm.
• Capital Disc Jockeys will be at the Saratoga Springs City Center from 3:30-6:30 pm spinning tunes and taking photos in their photobooth.  The Capital Region’s Open Air Photobooth is most talked about Photobooth in the Capital Region! Your guests will love taking candid action shots. The compact, sleek, ultramodern photo booth fits easily into the landscape of your event.

• Smile and get your FREE printed Official Chowderfest PhotoCard in front of Impressions on Broadway during Chowderfest from 12 pm to 5 pm. Share your personal Photocard on Facebook after the event at PhotoCardDay.com. Sponsored by Jenn Johnson of Keller Williams Realty, Saratoga Convention and Tourism Bureau, Impressions of Saratoga, Caroline Hommel of Homestead Funding, and Saratoga.com.
  http://photocardday.com/chowderfest_12/index.html

• Winners will be announced in front of the Saratoga Springs City Center at 6:00 pm on the day of the event.
• NEW for 2012: "Most Creative Chowder-Themed Dessert" Award!