The Friends of the Bath Youth Meetinghouse and Skatepark would like to thank everyone who made our 12th annual Bath Heritage Days’ Chili-Chowder Fest such a wonderful success. Festival receipts will support new and old programs at the Youth Meetinghouse, a vital resource for Midcoast youth, providing them with a safe and enjoyable place to skate, bike, and socialize. (Don’t forget: lessons on Saturday mornings for the young ones!)

We are particularly grateful to all the restaurants that participated in the event, volunteering their time and resources on what is the busiest weekend of the summer season: Brunswick Hotel & Tavern, Byrne’s Irish Pub, Fiona’s Restaurant and Catering, The Grille at Bath Golf Club, Jimbo’s Diner, J.R. Maxwell’s, the Kennebec Tavern, Mae’s Café, Mateo’s Hacienda, The Montsweag Roadhouse, the Pilot House Restaurant at Sebasco Harbor Resort, and Solo Bistro. A hearty congratulations to Jimbo’s Diner for winning the People’s Choice Award for Best Chili — a fifth win for Jimbo’s! — and to the Kennebec Tavern, winner of the two, new Judge’s Awards for Best Chili and Best Chowder, plus the People’s Choice award for Best Chowder.

Thank you to the four safety departments who also joined us: Sagadahoc Sheriff ’s Department (featuring Sheriff Al’s dangerously hot Ghost Pepper Chili), Woolwich Fire & Rescue, Bath Fire Department (who won the Judge’s Award for best Safety Department Chili), and Bath Police Department (who won the People’s Choice award for Best Safety Department Chili).

We would like to thank our major, “Three Pepper” sponsors, Bath Savings Institution, Bill Dodge Automotive Group and Brackett’s Market for supporting the event so generously, as well as our many other sponsors: “Two Pepper” sponsors Bill’s Garage, Coastal Glass, Custom Home Theater, First Federal Savings, Five County Credit Union; “One Pepper” sponsors Amy Kerr Instructional Design, Bath Animal Hospital, Bath Cycle and Ski, Bath Natural Market, Bert’s Oil, Burgess Computer, Brian Cross Construction, Cahill Tire, Dr. Coffin’s Garage, Hallmark Homes, Mariner’s Compass Quilt Shop, New Meadows Auto, Quansigamog Hand Tub Assoc., Reny’s, Seaside Web Design, Wilson’s Drug Store, and Witch Spring Hill Ice Cream.

We are immensely grateful to numerous businesses who so graciously supported the event with cash donations, gifts for the online raffle, treats and supplies at the event: Beale St. BBQ, Borealis Breads, Bowdoin College, Hair Creations, Hannaford’s, Henry and Marty’s Restaurant and Catering, Now You’re Cooking, P&P Screen Printing in Yarmouth, PepsiCo, Sagadahock Real Estate, Schutty’s Seafood, Shaw’s, and Wildflours Gluten Free Bakery.

Lastly, a heartfelt thanks to the loyal Chili Chowder Fest fans who turned out in large numbers, and to all of our volunteers. It was a wild, fun, and amazing day that showed the Midcoast’s community spirit in the best light. See you next year!

Dallas Denery, for the
Friends of the Bath Youth
Meetinghouse and Skatpepark Bath