SCHEDULE / PROGRAMMING
The Main Stage
One of the highlights of the Downbeach Seafood Festival is the Chowder Cook-Off. Attendees will have the opportunity to sample and determine what restaurant's chowder deserves the title of the 2025 Seafood Festival Chowder Cook-Off Champion.
In honor of September being National Hunger Action Month, The Atlantic City Seafood Festival will once again partner with the Community Food Bank of New Jersey by donating the proceeds to this important organization. Hunger Action Month, a nationwide Feeding America campaign, challenges the public to take action by promoting ways for individuals everywhere to get involved with the movement to help solve the issue of hunger in America! In 2024, through the Chowder Cook-Off, the Festival and restaurant's goal is to raise $5,000 which is the equivalent of $100,000 in food distributed throughout the Garden State! This year, we plan on increasing that donation with the support of our participating restaurants and festival attendees, one cup of chowder at a time!
To participate, attendees can purchase their Chowder Cook-Off tickets at the chowder tent for $10. Participants will be given tickets to try each chowder presented and they will also get 2 votes to cast for their favorite chowder.
Chowder Cook off times: Saturday, September 13th from 12pm to 4pm, and Sunday, September 14th, 12pm - 4pm.
Cape Harbor Shellfish presents
The oyster tour of the shore!
We’re taking you on a trip through NJ with an Oyster Tour of the Shore! Get a taste of some Jersey’s most exquisite oysters at the Downbeach Seafood Festival!
Featuring oysters from:
Cape May Salts
Sloop Point Oyster Co.
Mcgee’s Shellfish
Salty Soul Oyster Co.
Sapphire Shoals Oysters
Tucker Island Oysters
Great Brews of NJ
Tasting Tent
Over the years, the Great Brews of NJ tent has grown to become a mini Beer Festival within the Seafood Festival. This area will include 12 of NJ's favorite breweries for your sipping pleasure! Tasting tickets are 10 for $10! Tasting Tent opens at Noon. Must be 21 to enter.
Crab Cake Eating Contest
Presented by Jay's Crab Shack
The return of our ever-popular Crab Cake Eating Contest is happening again this year on September 13th & 14th! Sponsored by our friends at Jay's Crab Shack
Sign-ups are at the Jays Crab Shack tent prior to the scheduled time of the contest each day, and it's FREE to enter!
(This is NOT a professional eating competition, anyone is welcome to sign up but space is VERY limited!)
South Pacific Island Dancers
Be sure to check out the live performances from the South Pacific Island Dancers. As the Tri-State Area's largest and longest running Polynesian Entertainment Group, the South Pacific Island Dancers have been the leaders in Live Luau Entertainment and Polynesian Dance education for over 25 consecutive years!
The South Pacific Island Dancers will be performing throughout the day all over the festival grounds, Saturday & Sunday, September 13th & 14th. You don't want to miss out on this unique entertainment!
GULLS GONE WILD!
The gulls aren’t the only ones making noise on Ski Beach! The Downbeach Seafood Festival proudly presents the "GULLS GONE WILD", a squawk-for-squawk contest where five brave contestants battle it out to see who can best imitate the Shore’s most legendary bird.
From ear-piercing screeches to snack-snatching squawks, it’s equal parts comedy, chaos, and coastal pride. The crowd will judge who truly captures the spirit of the Jersey Shore seagull, and one contestant will soar away as the Ultimate Gull Champion!
Think you’ve got the call? Or just want to watch the madness? Either way, this is a don’t-miss moment at the Downbeach Seafood Festival.
Sand Creations
Matt Deibert
Matt Deibert, otherwise known as “The Sandman,” has been a staple of the Downbeach Seafood Festival for over a dozen years, bringing his incredible live sand sculpting to the shores of Ventnor. Over the years, Matt’s creations have become a signature element of the festival, helping shape its artistic identity.
In 2025, The Sandman continues the tradition, delivering beachside artistry that complements the seafood and entertainment. His annual sand sculpture is a fan favorite, and the perfect selfie spot for festivalgoers.
The Joy of Hooping
with Flow Bright
Get ready to spin, dance, and laugh with Flow Brights LLC, bringing joyful movement and playful energy to Ski Beach all weekend long! From kids to parents (and even grandparents!), everyone’s invited to step into the hoop and give it a whirl.
• Guided Hoop Dance Classes: Easy, beginner-friendly lessons set to music that will get your body moving and your smile glowing.
• Open Hoop Jam Zone: Grab a hoop, jump in, and freestyle with friends and family.
• Hula Hoop Contests: Who can keep the hoop spinning the longest? Prizes are up for grabs in fun, lighthearted competitions!
• Family Games: Musical hoops, relays, and playful challenges designed for all ages.
No experience needed, just bring your curiosity and a little wiggle. Flow Brights creates a welcoming space where everyone can connect, play, and discover the joy of hooping. Because at the end of the day, hooping is for everyone!
The Butterfly Encounter
Immerse yourself in a walk-through butterfly pavilion where hundreds of vibrant butterflies flutter freely around you.
Guests of all ages can hand-feed butterflies, learn about their life cycle from expert guides, and enjoy stunning photo ops in this interactive, nature-filled experience. It’s a peaceful, magical escape right in the heart of Ventnor!
Cooking Demos
Join these fabulous chefs as they cook up their favorite seafood dishes live under the eat-in tent! Learn their secret tips and tricks for creating mouth-watering dishes and sample them too!
Reel to Meal with Rob English
Ever wonder what to do with your catch once it’s out of the water? Local Wilderness Systems kayak fisherman Rob English is here to show you how. In this interactive demo, Rob launches his kayak the night before the festival, reels in whatever’s biting, and brings it straight to the stage to prepare live for the crowd.
From reel to real meal, “Line to Table” is a crash course in fresh, no, fuss seafood cooking, perfect for anyone who wants to turn their day’s catch into a feast. Rob will share his favorite tips, tricks, and easy prep methods while keeping it fun, casual, and tasty.
When: Saturday, September 13 & Sunday, September 14 at 12:30 PM each day
Where: Downbeach Seafood Festival Demo Stage
Bring your appetite and curiosity, it’s as fresh as it gets!
Cooking with Chef Leslie “Too Hype” Daniel
He’s the Executive Chef of Kuro at Hard Rock Atlantic City, a Guy’s Grocery Games champion, and the talent behind one of USA Today’s top hotel restaurants, and now he’s hitting the Downbeach Seafood Festival stage!
Join Chef Leslie on Saturday & Sunday, Sept. 13 & 14 at 2:00 PM for a live cooking demo where he’ll craft a mouthwatering pan-seared garlic shrimp tostada layered with avocado purée, mango chimichurri, pickled chilis, cilantro, and lemon sea salt.
This isn’t just a show, you’ll walk away with the know, how to recreate this bold, flavorful dish in your own kitchen. Don’t miss it! 🍤🔥
The School of Wine
Sip, learn, repeat. Join Kennedy Cellars of Hammonton, NJ for a 30-minute guided wine tasting at the Downbeach Seafood Festival. In this interactive mini-class, you’ll explore the fundamentals of tasting, sight, swirl, sniff, and sip, while discovering how different varietals pair with coastal flavors.
When: Saturday, September 13 & Sunday, September 14 at 3:00 PM (each day)
Where: Downbeach Seafood Festival (on-site tasting area)
Who: 21+ only (valid ID required)
“The School of Wine” is perfect for curious beginners and seasoned sippers alike. Kennedy Cellars will walk you through tasting notes, structure (acid, tannin, body), and simple pairing tips to make your next seafood feast shine. Come ready to ask questions, compare favorites, and elevate your palate, one pour at a time.
Space is limited; arrive a few minutes early to grab your seat.
Master Class: Oyster Shucking with Brian Harman
Think you know how to shuck an oyster? Let Cape Harbor Shellfish’s own Brian Harman, the man behind the legendary Cape May Salts, show you how it’s really done. Join us at the Downbeach Seafood Festival on Saturday & Sunday, September 13 & 14 at 4pm, for a hands-on master class in the art of oyster shucking.
Brian will walk you through the technique, tools, and tips that separate the pros from the amateurs. Learn the dos and don’ts: how to hold your oyster safely, find the hinge, use the knife with precision, and present a perfectly shucked beauty (without losing the brine!). Whether you’re a first-timer or just want to sharpen your skills, this demo is all about confidence, safety, and flavor.
Catch Brian on the demo stage and leave ready to impress at your next raw bar gathering.