Indulge in America’s favorite confection at the City of Fairfax Chocolate Lovers Festival Feb. 7 - 8, in Old Town Fairfax. Scheduled events include:
- Taste of Chocolate – purchase the chocolate creations of confectioners;
- Chocolate Challenge & Silent Auction – original chocolate sculptures by professional and amateur chocolatiers alike judged by professional and celebrity judges; the Silent Auction will feature entries from the Chocolate Challenge as well as items from the local business community;
- Pancake Breakfast, Bake Sale & Face Painting– Regular and chocolate chip pancakes, sausage, coffee, juice, and milk. Cost is $6/adults and $4/children ages 4-10. Children under the age of 3 will eat with a paying adult (limit one child per one paying adult).
- Children’s Activities – featuring chocolate fairy tales, magicians, puppet shows, & music;
- The Great Chocolate Caper and “Smarter Than a Lawyer”– a mock trial based on a popular children’s story with a chocolate-related theme; then test your skills against lawyers;
- Chocolate Movie Night – see what your golden ticket will bring you with the original Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory; come and enjoy stories and activities before the movie;
- Harley Eye Candy – an opportunity to sit on a Harley; bring your camera and have your picture taken while sitting on the back of your favorite Harley;
- Fairfax’s Historic Archives – view some of Fairfax’s most interesting historical legal documents such as the 1739 Land Grant; a page from the polling done around the county as citizens voted to Secede from the Union; the “Civil War” Rule book filled with graffiti from the soldiers stationed here; images of pages from George Washington’s Will as well as access to the room where the original deed book is located; and
- Historic Open Houses – visit Legato School, the Fairfax Museum and Visitor Center, The Ford House and Ratcliffe Allison House.
A complete schedule of events will be published on www.chocolatefestival.net. The schedule is subject to change, and changes will be posted on the event website as they occur.
Drop location for items for Meals for Young Minds (oatmeal packets; single-serving size boxes of cereal, chili cups, mac & cheese, tuna salad kits, pasta/meat cups; fruit cups, applesauce, cheese/crackers; 100% fruit juice boxes, Capri Sun juice packets; and shelf-stable milk)
Challenge Applications Accepted — George Mason University's Department of Nutrition and Food Studies are sponsors of the ever-popular Chocolate Challenge at their facility in Old Town Fairfax. The event will be held at the school's Nutrition Kitchen (3950 University Drive)
Valentines, Advance “Taste” Tickets – Valentines, featuring a drawing of the "Old" Fire Station 3, drawn by Jackie Liedl of Local Color, are available in advance of the event. Limited edition valentines, that include a coupon for five free “pogs” for the Taste of Chocolate, cost $5 each, and are available through January 30 (while supplies last) at: City Manager’s Office; City Hall, 10455 Armstrong Street – Room 316 (703-293-7120). If supplies last, valentines (with the free taste pog coupons) will be sold for $5 during the festival at the Taste of Chocolate in Old Town Hall.
For more information on the Chocolate Lovers Festival, visit www.chocolatefestival.net or call 703-385-7858. A program schedule is posted on the website, as well as a downloadable festival program with a map of event locations will be posted on the Festival's website.