MATTAPOISETT — Warm chowder, fun, and fire engines. That was the scene that greeted the hundreds of community members who came to sample various dishes at the Mattapoisett Firefighters Association’s fourth annual Chowder Competition. 

At the Knights of Columbus on Sunday, a combination of 13 public safety agencies and restaurants served up their best chowder recipes in support of the Firefighters Association. The money raised goes toward buying fire and rescue equipment and to support local charities. 

The winners and runners-up, chosen by a group of judges, were announced for both the public safety category and the professional establishment category.

Attendees also participated in the judgment by placing their votes for a “people’s choice” winner in each category.

In the professional category, 143 Market Inc. won first place. The Inn on Shipyard Park took home both the second place prize and the people’s choice a shrimp, corn, and linguica chowder. Third place was awarded to On the Go. 

For public safety, the Marion Recreation Department took the top prize with a chowder that included chicken — and cornbread on the side.

The Russells Mills Engine Co. from Dartmouth won second place with a “clam bake” chowder that combined all the ingredients from a clam bake event held the week before, according to Wayne Thomas.

“We wanted to think outside the box and stay away from that creamy chowder,” he said. “We hope that it works for us. Everyone enjoys it.” 

A secret ingredient was they key for the Rochester Fire Department, which took third place this year. After winning the people’s choice award for the last three years, the Rochester firefighters were upset by the Mattapoisett Police Department this year. 

“Nothing was store bought and everything is right from the ocean,” said Paul Andrews of the Mattapoisett Police Department. “It’s just a classic clam chowder.”

In addition to the chowder, the Mattapoisett Firefighter’s Association held a raffle with prizes ranging from restaurant gift cards to a new grill. 

For the children, the most popular attractions were the fire apparatus provided by the area fire departments. Throughout the day, sirens and horns could be heard as kids explored the vehicles inside and out.