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Chowdafest

Chowdafest has been a Northeast tradition for over a decade. There used to be 2 Chowdafests per year, 1 in the Spring and 1 in the Fall, and there was a seperate division for men and women. Dave Toohey used to not only run the tourney, but also host the party usually at his house, and cook all the food with the lovely Betty. And the food is what Chowdafest is famous for. Toohey's RI version of clam chowda (clear) and his delectable chicken wings, not to mention numerous trays of pasta, salad, 9 bean salad, and BBQ items always filled everybody's tummy to the brim.

After a 2 year hiatus because we lost our fields after playing on them in a monsoon, Chowdafest returned in 1999 in a coed form. Matty Brier is now the Tourney Director, which allows Dave and Betty to concentrate on serving the best damm food, and plenty of it, at any tourney. We also serve breakfast Sunday morning, as well as providing the usual bagels, bananas, oranges, and lots of water delivered to your field.

Chowdafest is going to have up to 24 mixed teams and, once again, we will divide the competition into 3 divisions. There will be crossover games at the end of the day on saturday so everybody will get 4 competitive games on Saturday, plus a minimum of 2 games on Sunday. Like last year, Chowdafest will be a preview of Northeast sectionals and regionals.

In order to get the strongest teams possible to attend, and hopefully a bunch of teams from other regions, I am offering a minimum of $500.00 to the winning team, in addition to the coveted Chowda Bowl Trophy.

The fields and facilities in Seekonk, Mass., a few minutes from Providence, are outstanding. As usual, we will serve a huge dinner at the fields on Saturday night. The usual amenities (water, fruit, pb&j sandwiches, etc..) will be provided as well. We are also working on getting other fringes like free vitamin water.

Many of you have expressed interest in attending. I am going to accept bids until July 15th. I need a check for $350 made payable to RIUPA sent to me, matthew brier, 2 dexter street, pawtucket, ri 02860. After July 15th, if there is still room, the tourney fee is going to go up to $400. Any ?s, let me know.

When: Sep. 3-4, '05

  • Rules:
    NO Dogs, sorry
    NO alcohol at the fields
    NO swimming in the pool at the fields
  • Directions to Fields
  • Schedule and seedings
  • Field Key
    1. Single Field at end of Walker Street
    2. Field with Fence in back endzone on side of Fieldhouse
    3. Field Hockey Field across from Fieldhouse
    4. Baseball Diamond nearest Infield
    5. Baseball Diamond Middle
    6. Baseball Diamond Farside
    7. Track closest to Road
    8. Track closest to Woods
  • What To Bring:
    Bug Spray
    Water containers - I will have 10 gallon igloo containers at every field for teams to fill up out of.
  • Parking at Fields
    There is a main lot all can park at. You will see a sign for Wheeler farm on your left on walker street. main and auxilary lots are there. there are also smaller lots closer to the specific fields. Fields 1, 2 and 3 off walker street, there is a lot on the right that can hold like 50 cars. Fields 4,5,6, there is a lot at the fieldhouse...go to the end of walker and take a left and fieldhouse will be on left. Fields 7 and 8 are inside the track which is across from fieldhouse, there is a small lot there.
  • Dinner Saturday night
    Will be served at the fields. Bring your appetite. We will have a smorgasbord of delectable delights sure to please the palate including our world-famous chowda. Burgers, chicken, hot dogs, salad, potato salad, coleslaw, fruit salad, and who knows what else. We will have some veggy burgers for the vegans as well.
  • Hotel Info a RIUPA, INC. Production
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