Waterville Valley will host the 5th Annual Casting for Kirby Youth Fishing Derby on Saturday, May 24 and the 25th Annual Chowderfest & Brews in Town Square on Sunday, May 25. The events will kick off summer and showcase some of New England’s finest chowder and brews, which will be available for sampling.

(TRAVPR.COM) USA - May 2nd, 2014 - With Memorial Day Weekend comes summer and an equally anticipated weekend full of events including the Fifth Annual Casting for Kirby Youth Fishing Derby and the Annual Chowderfest & Brews at Waterville Valley Town Square. The events, which will be held on Saturday and Sunday, May 24 and 25, will celebrate the kick-off of summer with fishing and some of the Waterville Valley region’s best chowders, which will be available for sampling.  

The weekend festivities start with the youth fishing derby on Saturday, May 24 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.  Kids up to 15-years-old can learn about catch and release fishing as they test their luck at catching the legendary fish, Kirby, in Corcoran Pond.  There will be youth prizes and a bib raffle for parents. The fishing derby’s $6 pre-registration fee includes a t-shirt and bait to the first 100 registrants. Event day registration ($10) and mandatory pre-registration check-in begins at 8 a.m. in Town Square. 

Corcoran Pond waterfront will also open for the season Memorial Day weekend for canoe, kayak, stand-up paddleboard, and pedal boat rentals.

On Sunday, May 25, area restaurants will bring their best chowders to Waterville Valley Town Square in the hopes of winning the coveted Golden Clam Award.  Sampling booths will be open from 12 to 2 p.m.  Purchase sampling tickets in Town Square in the morning.  Admission is $7.50 for adults (ages 13+), $5 for children (12 and under). Visit the restaurant’s booths for ample-sized samples of each chowder entry, then vote for your favorite concoction. Voting ballots will be handed out with tickets at the time of purchase.  While sampling New England’s favorite cuisine, enjoy a free outdoor concert by the Dusty Grey Band.  

The sampling doesn’t end with the chowder. Guests 21-and-over can head to the brew tent in Town Square to sample some of New England’s best brews including drinks from Smuttynose Brewery. The brews will be served from 12 to 4 p.m.  Afterwards, visitors can continue the summer celebration with more live music starting at 6 p.m.

For more information regarding Chowderfest & Brews, call Town Square at 603-236-8175.

The Waterville Valley Freedom Pass lodging package includes boating, mountain biking, tennis, golf, bike rentals, access to the White Mountain Athletic Club, use of the Waterville Valley shuttle, and scenic chair lift rides up Snow's Mountain. With all the activities included in the price, guests who take advantage of this package will save at least 50 percent on their family vacation.

Waterville Valley was designed and planned as a self-contained, four-seasons resort. Today, in addition to its world-class ski area, Waterville Valley Resort has award-winning tennis courts, golf, hiking, biking, lodging, cultural activities and summer theater, an indoor ice rink, boating, and a skate park. Dining options include both traditional favorites and elegant eateries. For more information, call 800-468-2553 or visit www.visitwatervillevalley.com.

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