About the Event
The most delicious event of the winter is upon us!
It’s time to get back into your kitchen after the holidays and dream up a chocolate creation that will knock our socks off this year. Or just come, indulge and enjoy the spirit of the evening.
Chocolate Festival Schedule
6:30-8:00 pm: Public Tasting, People’s Choice Voting, Online Auction, and Silent Dessert Auction
Your entry donation provides a tasting ticket which entitles you to ten dessert samples. Information about how to vote for the People’s Choice is included on the ticket.
If you’d like to bid in the Silent Dessert Auction or Live Auction, you’ll need a bidder number. Advance ticket holders will receive a bidder number with Express Check-In. People getting tickets at the door will need to get a bidder number at the bidder registration table when they arrive.
The Silent Dessert Auction takes place in person during the public tasting, and it includes all desserts except the Premier Showcase entries and the winning dessert in each Open Contest category and the Youth/Families group. These will be clearly marked and offered for bidding later in the Live Auction.
The Online Auction will also continue during this time and auction items will be displayed at the event.
People mingle, enjoy their chocolate, beverages from the cash bar, and musical entertainment provided by supportive local musicians.
6:30 until sold out: Grab and Go Table
The Grab and Go table will be open throughout the evening or until sold out (which often happens). If you’d like to take home some pretty packages of cookies, truffles, fudge, brownies or other goodies for loved ones, friends, babysitters, or even yourself, this is where you can find them. Grab and Go items, which are made and donated by some of the finest bakers and chocolate makers in the community, are already gift-wrapped and affordably priced, with no need to bid.
~ 8:00 pm: Voting for People’s Choice closes
~ 8:15 pm: Awards
Awards will be announced and winners presented with prizes created exclusively for the Chocolate Festival or donated by local businesses.
~ 8:45 pm: Live Auction begins
Open Contest and Youth/Families Winners & Premier Showcase Desserts
The Grand Prize and People’s Choice winners; all Premier Showcase entries; 1st prize cakes, cookies, brownies, chocolates, and potpourri from the Open Contest; and the 1st prize Youth/Families entry will be available for bidding during the Live Auction.
Non-Dessert Live Auction Items
We sometimes have a few exciting non-dessert items offered during the Live Auction. These items change from year to year and never disappoint. If there are any this year, a preview of non-dessert Live Auction items will be announced via the Online Auction site on February 7.