Montauk Pioneer - October 9, 2009- Chowder, Smiles, Montauk

“Montauk is fabulous - weather or not” as The Montauk Chamber of Commerce announces on its website. So you can be sure that this weekend’s 28th Annual Fall Festival to be held on the Village Green Saturday, October 10th and Sunday, October 11th from 10-4 p.m., promises to be a spectacular event for everyone.

The eagerly awaited famous Montauk Clam Chowder Contest on Saturday will be judged and awarded a trophy from the Judges Blind Test and the People’s Choice followed by the Clam Shucking contest on Sunday.

Inflatable rides, carnival games, pony rides, kid karaoke, crab races, pumpkin decorating and the delightful, colorful thirty horse carousel will once again entertain the crowd of all ages.

Live music, Octoberfest foods, beer and wine and for the first time the Farmer’s Market, featuring local fruits and vegetables, will add to a delicious weekend.

On Sunday, the Montauk Playhouse, under the direction of its phenomenal President Joan Lycke, will hold its fabulous Annual Chinese Auction with extraordinary raffle prizes. And just so the celebration ends with a bang, the Chamber’s “Cash Catch” drawing on Sunday at 4:30 p.m. with a whopping first prize of $25,000, might reward you if you purchased the winning ticket.

The Chamber’s Executive Director Laraine Creegan, Assistant Director Karin Wanag and Pat Shea, Event Coordinator have provided Montauk with an amazing number of five star programs and events through their superlative ingenuity, vision, and dedication.

To re-cap, kicking off the summer season, the Memorial Day Weekend Fine Arts Show which drew approximately 10,000 art enthusiasts began the short period of time when the Chamber of Commerce presented The Harbor and Jazz Festival, which included the Old Timer’s Dinner, honoring the 1940s and 1950s “Golden Days” of Montauk fishing, the Nautical Sale and ongoing free concerts at Gosman’s and the Village Green.

“Stars Over Montauk” actually celebrated on July 4th, and the day we first saw the sun in a long time, was an extravaganza of thrilling lights, colors and explosions. Shortly after, the Chamber’s Third Annual “Night at the Light” featured acclaimed East End Wines, super entertainment and catering.

For the first time, Montauk had a local farmer’s market, arranged by the Chamber to the delight of residents and visitors. As Laraine remarked, “There was a 10-20 percent decrease in restaurant revenues,” since more people cooked at home or even in motel efficiencies.

On November 14, the Chamber Gala will honor George Biondo who was nominated by John Keeshan and Chip Duryea for his monumental help in securing Southampton Hospital to become a part of the Montauk Medical Facility. And as a special extra treat, community leaders are working on a program of festivities for Thanksgiving weekend at the time when the Lighting of the Lighthouse will be celebrated for the second time.

Along with the Chamber, it is The Montauk Playhouse Community Center Foundation with Joan Lycke at the helm that is providing Montauk with outstanding recreational, social and cultural events as evidenced by its recent successes.

Part of the fundraising has been the thrust to get as many people as possible to visit the remarkable historic building. A special 80th birthday celebration, the Hampton Ballet performance of Peter and the Wolf to a sold out audience, April’s Earth Day celebration honoring Eagle Scout Jason Carey for his landscape project, sponsored by the MPCCF and the dedication of the Flag Pole Garden in honor of Suzanne Koch Gosman, where all children were invited to participate, were events enjoyed by hundreds. For a tiny village, “Montauk, the End” is where these two fine organizations are continually planning and producing new beginnings for all to enjoy. See you at the Fall Festvial!