40th Annual Essex ClamFest and Arts & Crafts Festival 2025
Event Sponsors
Presenting Sponsor
Date and Time
Saturday Oct 25, 2025
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM EDT
11 AM-12 PM K-9 Demonstration by the Essex Police Department
11 AM-4 PM Local Artisans & Crafters
11 AM-4 PM Various Food Trucks
12 PM Beer Truck
12-1 PM Chowder Competition (While supplies last)
12-4 PM Face Painting, Reptiles & Kid's Activities by CAVPT
12-2 PM Live Music by Uncharted Watahs
2-4 PM Live Music by Brick House
3 PM Chowder Competition Winners Announced!
Location
IMPORTANT UPDATE Due to wet field conditions, the vendors, food, and entertainment will be located in the paved parking lot. The Clam Chowder Competition will be on the tennis courts. Martin Street will be closed in one direction for increased on-street parking. Parking is also available at Essex Elementary School on Story Ave, with a free shuttle bus running every 10 minutes.
Fees/Admission
This event is Free to the Community
Chowder Tasting is $15 per person
Contact Information
Michelle Pepin 978-283-1601
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Event Sponsors
Gold Sponsor
Silver Sponsor
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Supporting Sponsor
Beverage Vendors
In Kind Sponsors
Description
Download Vendor Application
Join us for the 40th Annual Essex ClamFest and Arts & Crafts Festival, from 11 am to 4 pm in Shepard Memorial Park in Essex. Come taste Cape Ann's finest chowders from Noon to 1 pm and vote for your favorite! (Tasting only while supplies last!) Although the highlight of the day is the Chowder Tasting Competition, there is also a great variety of activities, including arts and crafts vendors, live entertainment and plenty of food vendors on-site!
Chowder Competition's Participating Restaurants:
| 35 Beach Restaurant |
| Sodexho / Addison Gilbert Hospital |
| Castle Manor Inn, LLC |
| CK Pearl |
| Seaport Grille |
| The Farm Bar & Grille |
| The James Pub & Provisions |
| Woodman's of Essex |
Food Vendors to include:
| Essex Lions Club |
| Googan's Galley |
| The Lunch Lady |
| Woodman's on Wheels |
*Also Featuring local brews from: Rockport Brewing & 90+ Cellars
* Musical entertainment by: Uncharted Watahs and Brick House
* Kids Activities include Face Painting by Miss Wendy and Cape Ann Vernal Pond reptiles!
* Over 40 Crafters, businesses, and Non-profit tables!
NON-PROFITS:
| Better Business Bureau |
| Essex Council on Aging |
| Essex Fire Departmant |
| Falun Dafa Association of New England |
| First Universalist Church, Essex |
| Friends of Essex Council on Aging |
| Friends of the TOHP Burnham Library |
| Friends of the TOHP Burnham Library |
| Ipswich River Watershed Assoc |
| Sarah Lufkin Memorial Scholarship |
| St Jude's Fundraiser |
| The Open Door |
| Town of Essex Open Space |
VENDORS:
| A&A Services |
| Al's Rings |
| Angie's Alpaca's |
| Bee and Thee |
| Coops Woodworks |
| CUTCO |
| Designs by Heidi B-Coastal Creations |
| Down River T-Shirts |
| Essex Engraving |
| Essex Handle Company |
| Harry's Wine Trays |
| Hold Fast Company |
| Hole In The Wall Care, LLC |
| Jacqui's Unique Designs |
| Jim's Coastal Wood Art |
| Keep Clam & Carry On |
| Kohler by Rite Window |
| LeafFilter Gutter Protection |
| Lobstart by Mark |
| Martin Made |
| Melissa Cox Photography |
| Morning Glory Energy |
| Native spirit |
| One Ocean One Love Shop |
| Pat D's Photos |
| Perrigo Street Crafters |
| Psychic by the Sea |
| Rescom Exteriors, Inc |
| Rocks Nose Farm |
| Seaside Crochet |
| Sew Nice |
| Sharon's Creations |
| Spark Joy Candle Co |
| Three Gingers Beef Jerky |
| Whale Cove Studio |
| Wiggly Bridge Whimsy |
| Window Nation |
