Photo: Erin Kayata / Hearst Connecticut Media
WESTPORT-The town’s annual Chowdafest gets a preview at the Big E starting Friday. Jim Keenan, the Chowdafest’s executive director, said the state invited them to take up residence in the Connecticut Building on the Avenue of States during the entire Big E’s Sept. 14-30 stay in Springfield, Mass. It’ll be located near the Lenny and Joe’s lobster roll booth. “Chowdafest, presented by Stop &Shop, will be opening a cafe offering eight ounce cups of chowder, soup and bisque,†Keenan said. He added that this will be just a sampling of what the Chowdafest will provide during their annual Sept. 30 festival at Sherwood Island from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For each of the Big E’s 17 days the cafe will present five different choices—New England white and Manhattan red clam chowder, blended clam chowder, creative clam chowder, soup or bisque and vegetarian. The Big E draws about 1.5 million people annually, making it the fifth largest fair in the U.S. Its biggest draws are usually the concerts. This year’s lineup includes Ice-T Sept. 22 and the Beach Boys Sept. 30 at the X-Finity arena. Tony Orlando on Sept. 14, the Drifters and the Platters on Sept. 24 and 24 and WAR on Sept. 28 and Jefferson Starship will appear Sept. 28-30 at the Court of Honor Stage. For a complete lineup of all the musical acts performing go to the Big E website—www.thebige.com
