Great news, chowder lovers! Skip the long entry lines at this year’s Chowder Cook-Off on Sunday, Oct. 5 by getting wristbands pre-scanned on Saturday, Oct. 4 at the Merchant Mart, co-organizer Todd Elsasser announced. Sunday’s festival will have two entrances, he explained: one on Taylor Avenue for the general public and a special separate entrance on Ninth Street, where those with pre-scanned wristbands can sail on through.

Twelve restaurants have signed on to compete in the categories of red and white – six of each.