The 41st Annual Essex ClamFest and Clam Chowder Competition brings food, music, and community to Shepard Memorial Park

The Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce invites the community to the 41st Annual Essex ClamFest and Arts & Crafts Festival on Saturday, October 24, from 11 AM to 4 PM at Shepard Memorial Park. Admission is free.

This beloved fall tradition will feature more than 60 artisans, vendors, and non-profit booths, along with a K-9 demonstration by the Massachusetts State Police & Essex Police. Kids’ activities include a visit from the Cape Ann Vernal Pond Team and face painting by Miss Wendy. Live music will be performed by Peter Hoare & the Essex Junction and Brick House. Visitors can enjoy food from Googan’s Galley, The Lunch Lady, and Woodman’s on Wheels, as well as beer from Rockport Brewing Company.

The Clam Chowder Competition

The ever-popular Clam Chowder Competition returns to the site of the former tennis courts from 12 PM to ~1 PM, or while supplies last. Admission to the tasting area is $15 for adults and $10 for children under 10. Approximately 1,000 people are expected to sample the best of the best, and each taster will vote for a favorite in the People’s Choice Award. First, second, and third places will be recognized.

This year’s nine competitors are: 35 Beach (Manchester), Addison Gilbert Hospital/Sodexo (Gloucester), Castle Manor Inn (Gloucester), CK Pearl (Essex), Machaca Taco & Tequila Bar (Gloucester), The Burn Tavern (Gloucester), The Farm Bar & Grille (Essex), The James Restaurant (Essex), and Woodman’s of Essex (Essex)

Thank You to Our Sponsors

Essex ClamFest is produced by the Essex Division of the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce. We gratefully acknowledge the sponsors who make this year’s event possible:

• Presenting Sponsor: BankGloucester
• Community Sponsors: 128 Plumbing & Heating, Applied Materials, Beacon Bank, LeafFilter Gutter Protection, and Rite Window by Renuity
• Supporting Sponsor: Manchester-Essex Rotary Club
• Shuttle Sponsor: Beauposrt Limousine/Beauport Ambulance

We also thank the following businesses and organizations for their in-kind support: the Mass Mudders for parking assistance, Beauport Limousine for shuttle service, Hiltz Waste Disposal for trash services, and Essex Radio & TV for sound at the chowder competition.

Rain Location: In the event of rain, the festival will be held at Essex Elementary School on the same date and times.

For more information including a list of vendors, please visit: https://bit.ly/EssexClamFest

Main Street is closing down and coming alive for Gloucester Block Party #3! 🥳 Bring your crew, your dancing shoes, and your appetite for a jam-packed night of live music, incredible street performers, and local flavor.

✨ WHEN: Friday, September 4 | 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM (Streets close at 5 PM)
📍 WHERE: Main Street, Downtown Gloucester, MA
🎟️ ADMISSION: Completely FREE!

🎸 3 STAGES OF LIVE MUSIC (Starting at 6 PM):

• The West End: Toni & the Treblemakers (6 PM) | Allen Estes (8 PM)
• Cape Ann Savings Park: Dogtown (6 PM) | Jim ‘N Tonic (8 PM)
• The East End: In the Pocket (6 PM) | Tony Kaczynski (8 PM)

🎪 FAMILY FUN & SPECIAL GUESTS:

• Live performances by The Real McCoy (6:15 & 7:30 PM)
• Meet the Cape Ann Vernal Pond Team Reptiles 🐍
• Face Painting by Miss Wendy 🎨
• Sword Play with Captain Jack 🏴‍☠️

Dozens of your favorite downtown shops, local restaurants, food vendors, and artisans will be open late with special block party deals! 🛍️🍔

Don’t miss the ultimate celebration on Cape Ann. Tap the link below to view the full lineup and RSVP!

👇 Get the Full Event Schedule Here: 👇
👉 bit.ly/BlockParty-Sept4

Kick off your summer with the free annual Festival by the Sea in downtown Manchester-by-the-Sea on Saturday, August 1, from 10 AM to 4 PM (rain or shine). Explore Masconomo, Reed, and Town Hall Parks, which will be packed with over 90 local artisans, crafters, unique makers, non-profits, and food vendors. In addition, local downtown retailers will be offering special sales throughout the day.

Enjoy a full day of live music on the Masconomo Park Bandstand featuring Corey Wrinn, Jim ‘n’ Tonic, and Rob Banks and The Money Makers, with acoustic performances at Town Hall Park. Indulge in local eats from vendors like The Lobster Roller, Crepe du Jour, and the Whoopie Wagon. Explore Manchester’s downtown for special shopping deals, library book sales, fish printing at the museum, and more.

Take advantage of free shuttle service from the Manchester-Essex Regional High School lower parking lot to easily experience all the festivities. Don’t miss this perfect coastal summer day on Cape Ann!

MASCO Park Music Schedule:

• 10 AM -12 PM: Corey Wrinn
• 12 PM -2 PM: Jim n’ Tonic
• 2 PM -4 PM: Rob Banks and the Moneymakers

TOWN HALL Music Schedule:

• 10 AM -12 PM: Liam Anastasia-Murphy
• 12 PM -3 PM: Matt Rich & Gil Clark

Additional Music:

• 10 – 11 AM: The Music Man @ The Manchester Public Library
• 12 – 2 PM: Woodland Spark Trio @ Manchester-by-the-Sea Museum

See full list of vendors on the Festival by the Sea web page.

For questions, please contact Michelle Pepin at the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce, 978-283-1601, michelle@capeannchamber.com.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Date and Time:
Saturday Jul 18, 2026
5:30 PM – 8:30 PM EDT

Location:
Stage Fort Park
24 Hough Avenue
Gloucester, MA 01930

Fees/Admission:
Advance Purchase General Admission – $45
At the Door General Admission – $50
Designated Driver – $10
Click here to purchase tickets: blackburnbrewfest.com

Website:
blackburnbrewfest.com

Contact Information:
Call 978-283-1601
Send Email

Blackburn Brew Fest 2026:
The current list of sponsors is:

Growler:

Discover Gloucester

Ocean Breeze Cultivators

Reverie 73

Renewal by Andersen

Cape Ann Savings

Pint:

BankGloucester

Cape Ann Motor Inn

Flight 

Burgin Platner Insurance

Cape Ann Lanes/Laneside Pub & Brewery

In Kind:

Streamography

Brooks Gibson Company

Description:
The Greater Cape Ann Chamber is pleased to announce the return of the Blackburn Brew Festival on Saturday, July 18th (RAIN or SHINE) at Stage Fort Park! Over 20 breweries will be convening from Cape Ann, the North Shore, and across New England to showcase their best brews to attendees from far and wide. The event will also offer live music, local food trucks and lawn games all while located at Gloucester’s historic waterfront park.

The event will also be supporting a good cause as a portion of the proceeds will support local non-profits through the Cape Ann Community Foundation, an organization established by the Chamber to award grants for projects supporting educational, social service, recreational and economic initiatives throughout the Cape Ann Community.

PLEASE NOTE: This event is 21+

For breweries interested in participating, please contact Sam Bevins at sam@capeannchamber.com.

Date and Time:
Wednesday Jul 22, 2026
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM EDT

Location:
The Emerson Inn

1 Cathedral Ave Rockport MA 01966

Fees/Admission:
$5 for Members
$15 Non-Members

Women & Men always Welcome!

Website:
https://www.theemersoninn.com/

Contact Information:
Michelle 978-283-1601
Send Email

Description:
Join us for a summer networking gathering with light refreshments on the beautiful deck of the Emerson Inn.

*Limited attendance – please register early to secure your spot.

Date and Time
Saturday Jul 11, 2026
6:00 PM – 10:00 PM EDT

EVENT TIMELINE:
5 PM: Streets closed off to traffic & parking
6 PM: Music Stages Open (See below)
6:15 PM: The Red Trousers
7:10 PM: Cape Ann Dancers at Hancock & Main
8:00 PM: The Red Trousers

MUSIC PERFORMANCES BY STAGE:

The West End: Sponsored by Institution for Savings
​6 PM: TBD
7 PM: TBD
8 PM: TBD

Cape Ann Savings Bank Stage: Sponsored by Cape Ann Savings Bank
6 PM: TBD
8 PM: TBD

The East End: Sponsored by BankGloucester
6 PM: TBD
7:30 PM: TBD

Location:
Main Street (Closed from Pleasant St to Washington St)
Gloucester, MA

1-160 Main Street Gloucester MA 01930

Fees/Admission:
FREE for the Public to attend
*Registration required for participating Businesses and Non-Profits

Website:
http://www.capeannchamber.com

Contact Information
Michelle Pepin 978-283-1601
Send Email

Event Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
Addison Gilbert Hospital
Applied Materials
Building Center
Endicott College

Silver Sponsors
A&A Services
Ebenezer Tax and Services
LeafFilter Gutter Protection

Description

Main Street, Downtown Gloucester comes alive when the Street is closed off and we have live music, street performers, non-profits, food vendors, and more! A fun night for young and old alike!

Many of the shops and businesses on Main Street will be open and welcoming partygoers. Other Gloucester businesses and local non-profits also will be represented on the Street. It will be a night full of live music, great food, and fun activities with lots of local flavor!

Entertainment:
Headline Act: The Red Trousers
Captain Jack
Cape Ann Dance
Cape Ann Vernal Pond Team
Face Paint by Miss Wendy Food Vendors & Restaurants
Bravo by the Sea
Crepe du Jour
Meat & Sweet Foods
The Lobster Roller
Three Ginger’s Jerky
Whoopie Wagon

Essex CLAMFEST returns on Saturday, OCTOBER 25^th (RAIN OR SHINE!)

On Saturday, October 25, the 40^th Annual Essex ClamFest and Clam Chowder Competition will return. This beloved fall event will feature over 40 Artist and Vendor booths, plus 15 Non-Profit Booths, a K-9 demonstration, Kids’ Activities, including the Cape Ann Vernal Pond Team, and Face Painting by Miss Wendy, live music, food vendors, Rockport Brewing Company, 90+ Cellars Wine Cellars and, of course, the ever-popular Clam Chowder Competition. The festival is free to attend and will take place at Shepard Memorial Park in Essex from 11 AM to 4 PM.

The clam chowder competition runs from Noon to 1 PM (or while supplies last). The cost is $15.00 for adults and $10 for children under 10 to enter the chowder tasting area. Over 1,000 people are expected to participate and taste the best of the best. Each chowder taster will have the opportunity to choose his or her favorite for the People’s Choice Award, while nine esteemed judges will vote to select the winner of the Judges’ Award. This year, there are eight competitors: 35 Beach (Manchester), Addison Gilbert Hospital/ Sodexo (Gloucester), Castle Manor Inn (Gloucester), CK Pearl (Essex), Seaport Grille (Gloucester), The Farm Bar & Grille (Essex), The James Restaurant (Essex), and Woodman’s (Essex).

Essex Clamfest is produced by the Essex Division of the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce. BankGloucester is our Presenting sponsor; Brookline Bank is our Gold sponsor; Applied Materials is our silver sponsor, and Hiltz Disposal is our supporting sponsor.

The rain Location for the festival is at the Essex Elementary School, on the same date.