Chocolate Fountain – One of many tastings at Lewisburg Chocolate Festival’s Tasting Extravaganza
The sweetest weekend in West Virginia, the 8th annual Lewisburg Chocolate Festival, offers events all day Saturday, Apr. 12. Advance tasting tickets are available for purchase online through Thursday, Apr. 10 and in person through Friday, Apr. 11. A limited number of tickets will be available on Saturday, Apr. 12 at 10 a.m. on a first come, first served basis. Get your tickets early!
On Friday evening, restaurants throughout Lewisburg will offer special chocolate themed entrees and desserts. Participating establishments include: Del Sol Cantina and Grill (304-645-1717), Food & Friends Restaurant (304-645-4548), General Lewis Inn (304-645-2600), The Livery Tavern (304-645-9836), Stella’s (304-520-4937) and Stardust Cafe (304-645-3663). Guests are encouraged to call for dining and reservation information.
At 9 a.m. on Saturday morning, the HospiceCare 10K Chocolate Chase begins at the Greenbrier Valley Airport and ends at the Greenbrier County Courthouse. Runners can download a registration form at www.lewisburgchocolatefestival.com. Day-of registration will begin at 8 a.m. at the Greenbrier Valley Airport. A one-mile Fun Walk will begin from the parking lot of First National Bank, 1125 E. Washington Street. For more information contact Missy VanBuren at HospiceCare, 304-645-2700, or via email at mvanburen@hospicecarewv.org.
The “All Things Chocolate” Bake-Off, with competition categories of Cakes, Pies, Miscellaneous, Vegan, Teen 12-18 and Children (under 11), will take place in the lobby of First National Bank, 1125 E. Washington Street. Registration for the Bake-Off is at 10 a.m. and costs $5. Judging begins at 11 a.m. The public may taste entries from 11:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. or while supplies last. All proceeds from the Bake-Off benefit the Greenbrier Humane Society. A registration form is available at www.lewisburgchocolatefestival.com.
Perhaps the most popular competition at the festival, the Chocolate Mousse Eating Contest will take place on the patio of the new location of Stella’s Restaurant at 208 W. Washington Street. Registration will begin at 10 a.m. and end at 12:30 p.m. One winner will be chosen from three divisions, Children 5-9 years beginning at 1 p.m.; Teens 10-14 years beginning at 1:30 p.m. and Age 15 – Adult beginning at 2 p.m. Only 12 participants are entered in each division and entry is determined through a drawing of registrants.
Washington Street will be closed from 7 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. from Lafayette Street to Church Street. Residents are advised to move their vehicles from the street-side parking spaces on Washington Street on Saturday morning prior to the closing. Vehicles that are not moved will be towed at the owner’s expense by the City of Lewisburg.
For more information on these and other events at the Lewisburg Chocolate Festival or to purchase tasting tickets visit www.lewisburgchocolatefestival.com. Tickets may also be purchased in person at Greenbrier Valley Baking Company, 110 S. Jefferson Street; Greenbrier Valley Visitors Center, 200 W. Washington Street; Harmony Ridge Gallery, 209 W. Washington Street and ReMax, 111 E. Washington Street. Ticket sales are going faster than any previous year, and festival-goers are encouraged to purchase their tickets in advance.
The Lewisburg Chocolate Festival is sponsored by First Energy/A MonPower Company, CBS-59, Shoney’s, Chapman Technical Group, MidAtlantic Waterproofing, PostNet, Studio 40, High Country Boutique, MedExpress Urgent Care, lovechild, Employee Benefit Services and Commercial Insurance.