Once again the weather was an amazing seventy degrees with
warm sunshine and cotton ball-like clouds adorning the sky for
the Second Annual Marietta MacDown.
The benefit, the sister to the late-winter Chowderfest,
brainstormed and run by Ed Lincoln, Jr. in conjunction with Joey
Bowden of the Railroad House Inn, saw again over three hundred
and fifty people in attendance and netting almost $5,000 to
local non-profit charities. Over a dozen area restaurants and
food service providers brought their best spin on macaroni and
cheese, each vying for the “Golden Noodle” award.
Last year’s winner, Egon Mowery of McCleary’s, narrowly won
the People’s Choice award, the Golden Noodle. John Wright
placed as runner-up last year, and netted third place this year.
The People’s Choice is tallied by the public, who pay a $12
entrance donation and receive a ballot to rate each contestant’s
mac and cheese.
There is also a Judges’ Pick made by a panel of industry
professionals and people of note in the community. And of
course, since it’s mac and cheese, there is also a Kid’s Choice
Award. This year’s winner of the Kid’s Choice, Rebekah Sweeney
of Devil’s Eye Brewing stated that “Kids are the pickiest eaters,
so it’s an honor to have won this category”.
So without further adieu, this year’s People’s Choice winner
almost hit the trifecta, winning two of three categories. Our
hats go off to Nick Liazis of Nick’s Bistro, who won the People’s
Choice, the Judges’ Pick, and second in the Kid’s Choice. Job
well done by Nick and his Chef Jamie, as well as Angie who had
a perpetual smile the whole day while serving up the lobster
mac and cheese.
Second place in the Judges’ pick went to Gratefull Fed catering
(and soon to be food truck service). Chef Keith, who is also
the lead singer and part time percussionist of local band
Snapsquatch.
Second place in the People’s Choice goes to the Lancaster
Dispensing Company. While owner Judy attended her business,
her sister Jane, owner of Plain Jane Soaps, pleased the crowd
with their brisket and caramelized onion mac and cheese. They
were also the winners of the Musser’s Supply award by John
Musser, an award given by the individual corporate or private
sponsors as their favorite. Tim McGowan of Finkenbinder
Funeral Homes awarded his to Nick’s Bistro. Bob Swartz, owner
of Carriage House Construction, chose the Railroad House, with
a short rib, smoked gouda, and root vegetable mac and cheese.
The Railroad House is also a consistent powerhouse in the
Chowderfest and MacDown, winning People’s Choice in the
2nd Annual Chowderfest.
Some new additions to the
MacDown this year were a “fall
fest” area with arts and crafts and
games for kids and adults, such as
pumpkin bowling, a pottery wheel,
tie dying, pumpkin painting, and
more. Also added was a VIP
section for corporate sponsors,
private sponsors, and guests who
make an additional donation. The
area provided some higher end
appetizers, as well as personal
and attentive service by Bradley
Hagens, Briahnna Wolfe, and
Shawn Newlin. The sponsors this year donated to their choice
of the charities a minimum of $500.
Special thanks to RG Law, Matt and Kia Hostetter, Musser’s
Supply Company, Finkenbinder Funeral Homes, CGA Law,
Carriage House Construction, Grateful Lawns and Gardens,
Jeremy Ganse- Remax Smarthub, Red Roof Inn, and Brock Food
Service. New sponsors are always welcome and may contact
Ed Lincoln at 717-205-9358 via text.
The MacDown non profit recipients this year were the Lancaster
Foodstock, Sebastian Foundation dog rescue, The Pioneer Fire
Company, and the Donegal Intermediate School PTO.
A special thanks to JC Fetlock, The Buzz Brothers duo of Gus
Aguirre (Redeye and Hexbelt) and Chris Towson (numerable
bands including the Hydroponic Philharmonic), and Acoustic
Echo, who all provided music throughout the Railroad House
grounds. Thanks also to Tad and Laura Eastman for their
amazing art and kid-entertaining talents (Tad is known as one
of the best tie dye artists in the states).
More gratitude to Kathy Lincoln for her ever present kindness
and support of the events, whether it is taking pictures,
retrieving sporks or napkins, or just generally making people
smile and feel comfortable.
And thanks, of course, to the Railroad House staff and
management, and all the guests who made Marietta MacDown
and Chowderfest the successes that they are.
For info about events, sponsorship, donations or volunteering,
please contact Ed Lincoln, Jr. via text at 717-205-9358.
This year’s MacDown contestants: The Bull’s Head, McCleary’s
Irish Pub, Brock Food Service, Gratefull Fed catering, The John
Wright Restaurant, The Railroad House, Loxley’s Lancaster
Heritage, Lancaster Dispensing Company, The Pioneer Fire
Company, Devil’s Eye Brewing, Nick’s Bistro
The 5th Annual Chowderfest is scheduled for April 4th, 2020.
Get your tickets at Eventbrite.com before it sells out!