Since its inception in 1930, the Port Washington Chamber of Commerce (Chamber) has taken an active and visible role in promoting the community. In 1939, when Pan Am’s Dixie Clipper took off from Port Washington on its first regularly scheduled passenger flight from the United States to Europe, the chamber organized ceremonies attended by over 5,000 people.

Today, with over 280 members, the chamber is involved in the issues and activities of the 21st century. A major undertaking of the Chamber, in conjunction with the Greater Port Washington Business Improvement District, is the creation of a mobile app for Port Washington. Called “Try Port First,” it has everything people want to know about our community, including business listings and events.

We have open monthly meetings and networking events to encourage businesspeople to have a voice in their community and to learn about issues that affect them all.

Improving and enhancing Port’s waterfront has been a priority for the Chamber and one on which we continue to have a major impact. One of the Chamber’s largest efforts to date has been our annual HarborFest.

The goal of HarborFest is to focus attention on our waterfront – its beauty, history and current environmental concerns.

On the fun side, the Chamber’s annual HarborFest brings families to our waterfront for a day of cruises on Manhasset Bay; a craft fair; concerts; an enviro-expo; a fun park with games, activities and free family entertainment; Art in the Park; local vendors; a fabulous food court and more.

The chamber’s SOUPer Bowl, on the first Saturday in February, is always a welcome respite from the cold winter weather. Local restaurants donate their best soups to the event.

Pre-Covid, hundreds of people came together to taste the soups and vote for their favorites. Since Covid, we turned it into a take-home event.

People sign up and pay online and on SOUPer Bowl day, they pick up a reusable tote bag full of 6-ounce portions of each soup to take home. They can then heat and taste the soups and vote online for their favorites. The winner is the SOUPer Bowl Champ!

For the holidays, we kick off the season with other local organizations to offer Port Holiday Magic on Small Business Saturday. It features store specials; entertainment on the street; a free trolley; Santa riding around town on a fire truck followed by Santa at the train station; holiday-themed backdrops for selfies, and much more.

Every year, the Chamber decorates all the lampposts with green garlands, lights and red bows. We have a window decorating contest for the stores to publicly recognize those who go all out for the holidays. We also run a toy and food drive called “Make a Child Smile” which was started by a member of our board of directors who is also a police detective.

Every year, the chamber gives away American flags to everyone who comes to the Memorial Day parade.

On a permanent, year-round basis, the Chamber has established a nautical museum on the town dock. The “Pride of Cow Bay” is actually the pilot house of an old tug boat that has been renovated by local volunteers and businesses. Rotating exhibits can be viewed through the portholes, and Port Hole Pete is always at the helm to delight the children.

We welcome residents and visitors to take advantage of all Port Washington has to offer – friendly shops, fabulous restaurants, unique museums, historic homes, numerous community events and a beautiful waterfront with scenic public parks.

Visit pwcoc.org for more information about the Chamber of Commerce as well as its hundreds of businesses and activities.