Ogunquit News
20th Christmas by the Sea celebration puts Ogunquit in the holiday mood
By C. Ayn Douglass
Hundreds upon hundreds of residents and visitors alike lined up to sample the best in seafood soups and sweet treats at the 17th Annual Chowder and ChocolateFest, held as part of Christmas by the Sea this past weekend. In the end, the tasters declared the winners were Clay Hill Farm for its lobster bisque and Five-O for its baked chocolate pudding with gelato.
Photo by C. Ayn Douglass
OGUNQUIT - The Ogunquit Chamber of Commerce awarded three businesses and three residences its top prizes for decorating in the holiday spirit this year while the best chowder and chocolate were left to the public to decide.
Winners in the commercial division for outside decorating were Calluna Fine Flowers, first prize; Wild Blueberry Café, second prize, and People's Insurance for most unique or best use of lighting.
In residential decorating the winners were the Mayhan residence, Pine Hill Road South, first prize; Hawkins and Lebel, Woodland Hills, for second prize, and the Cohen residence on Grasshopper Lane.
The Dunaway Center hosted the 17th Annual Chowder and ChocolateFest, where area restaurants competed for the best of both categories. Winners were decided by the nearly 700 visitors who were lined up at Dunaway at 11:30 a.m. The waiting line never diminished and chamber administrative assistant Frances Reed said it is one of the most popular events of the weekend-long celebration.
Clay Hill Farm won the chowder competition with its "famous lobster bisque" - a recipe that employee Heather Higgins said has won many awards and accolades.
In the chocolate division, Five-O won the popular vote with its baked chocolate pudding with gelatto.
The Ogunquit Village Spirit Committee awarded first prize in the parade for a horse-drawn carriage sponsored by The Blacksmith Mall and second prize went to a float sponsored by The Ogunquit Playhouse.
Brownies, lemon squares, cranberry nut loaves, mini pumpkin pies and dozens of cookies made by chamber members were eagerly purchased at the cookie table, sponsored by the chamber with proceeds going to benefit chamber activities.
Hospice of York benefited from the event with Hospice volunteer Stella Mayhan saying their silent auction of decorated Christmas trees and sparkle paws donated by Cameron Patrick Neth Designs gleaned $830 in donations.
"We're grateful to all who donated the trees and paws," she said, adding "100 percent goes directly to Hospice."
Winn House opened its doors to visitors from as far away as Illinois and Wisconsin who stopped by to see 18th-century decorations and enjoy holiday refreshments.
Ogunquit enjoyed nearly perfect weather for the event, which is a first in about three years. The spring-like weather left merchants, visitors and event planners with a memorable experience as compared to the Christmas by the Sea event in 2004, which persevered despite downpours, and 2005, which was hindered by a snowstorm on Saturday.
