ChocolateFest News for 2019

ChocolateFest VIVA CH CO VEGAS!

2019

in Burlington,Wis.

Memorial Day Weekend May 23-27

www.chocolatefest.com Published by your

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2019 CHOCOLATEFEST NEWS

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Kevin Spencer emerges victorious following an adult chocolate eating contest at the 2018 ChocolateFest in Burlington.

Chocolate-themed activities, including the annual Chocolate Sculpting Competition, take place in the Chocolate Experience Tent all weekend during the festival.

‘Viva Ch co Vegas!’

CHAD HENSIAK ChocolateFest News

BURLINGTON’S CHOCOLATEFEST RETURNS MAY 24 TO 27

by Tracy The game is on this Ouellette year at Burlington’s annual ChocolateFest EDITOR celebration. With the theme of “Viva Choco Vegas! the sweetest festival in the area promises to be chock full of fun.

As in years past, the Burlington Rotary Club will present the carnival from North American Midway Entertainment.

The carnival opens Thursday, May 23, at 5 p.m. and is open during festival hours through Memorial Day, May 27.

Mega Pass unlimited carnival rides are available in advance for $75 until May 22 at Burlington’s Fox River State Bank/ Greenwoods State Bank and Richter’s Marketplace. One-day carnival ride bands can also be purchased in advance for $25 ($30 at the gate).

The festival also features the Jaycees Arts and Crafts fair in Echo Park on May 25 and 26, the 12th annual co-ed softball tournament, helicopter rides and the annual Veterans Memorial Day Parade, which steps off at 9 a.m. on May 27. The parade is immediately followed by the traditional Memorial Day observances in Echo Park.

The annual fireworks display was in

question for a while, but thanks to the generosity of Community State Bank and Mangold Insurance, the ChocolateFest Fireworks are scheduled for 9 p.m. Friday, May 24.

New this year is the Cantina Stage, which will host entertainment and music acts all weekend long, including hypnotist Chris Jones, Dirty Canteen, Exit Plan, Generation Z and more.

Additionally, the festival has multiple family friendly activities from a petting zoo to RC car racing, Kidbuck$ Game Show, Grandpa Cratchet performance, Touch-A-Truck and a NASCAR exhibit.

Experience the chocolate While the midway, music and festival fun are always a draw, no trip to ChocolateFest is complete without a visit to the Chocolate Experience Tent.

That’s where festival goers can partake of all the mouth-watering goodness of the fest’s headliner – chocolate.

The tent hosts activities and events all weekend long for kids of all ages.

And don’t forget the free Nestlé Tollhouse Chocolate Chip Cookies!

The Chocolate Experience Tent is where the Chocolate Sculpting Competition runs, featuring area artists creating masterpieces out of large blocks of chocolate.

Other activities in the tent include the Chocolate River, Kids’ Sundae Challenge, Giant Cupcake Eating Contest, Giant Chocolate Jenga, kids cookie decorating and, of course, the chocolate-eating

contests.

“One of the new things is the Chocolate River Duck Game for kids to win prizes,” said Arlene Runkel, one of the Chocolate Tent organizers.

The chef demonstrations have been a favorite of festivalgoers for years and

See CHOCO VEGAS, Page 6

ChocolateFest News 2019 A publication of The Burlington Standard Press and Southern Lakes Newspapers LLC

1102 Ann St., Delavan, WI 53115 • (262) 728-3411 • www.myracinecounty.com EDITOR IN CHIEF…Ed Nadolski • SPECIAL SECTIONS…Tracy Ouellette ADVERTISING DIRECTOR…Vicki Vanderwerff PAGE DESIGN…Jen DeGroot • CREATIVE DIRECTOR…Heidi Schulz For advertising opportunities, please call (262) 763-2575 ON THE COVER: Chad Hensiak photos: Masin Rudolph shows off his tiger face paint at the 2018 ChocolateFest carnival provided by North American Midway Entertainment; cooling off in the misting tent during the heatwave, and volunteers Jerry Garski (left) and Jimmy Thelen serving free cookies in the Chocolate Experience Tent. Katie Sobieski photo of the Chocolate Sculpting Contest from last year.

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2019 CHOCOLATEFEST NEWS

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2019 ChocolateFest schedule Thursday, May 23 • 5 p.m. Carnival opens, no gate admission • 7:30 p.m. Wiil Rock and Cherry Pie, Main Stage; beer tent open

2019 CHOCOLATEFEST NEWS

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Throughout the weekend May 24 to 27 NEW Cantina Stage featuring mariachi at noon Saturday through Monday, followed by local talent Touch-A-Truck Musical acts Granpa Cratchet – puppet show Chef Demonstrations Burlington Hobbies RC Cars Chocolate Eating Contests Petting Zoo Commercial Expo Tent Kidbuck$ Game Show NASCAR Exibit Chris Jones – hypnotist and illusionist Food and Retail Vendors

Friday, May 24 • 4 p.m. Festival and carnival open • 4 to 9 p.m. Chocolate Experience Tent open • 4 p.m., Crittle Hill Grass, Cantina Stage • 5 p.m. Local performers, Wanasek Stage • 5 p.m. Chocolate Eating Contest, Chocolate Tent • 6 p.m. Chef Demonstration, Chocolate Tent • 6 p.m., Granpa Cratchet, Family Land • 7 p.m. Kid Buck Game Show, Family Land • 7 p.m. Chef Demonstration, Chocolate Tent • 7:30 p.m. Dirty Canteen, Cantina Stage • 8 p.m. Chocolate Eating Contest, Chocolate Tent • 7:30 p.m. Clean Pioneer, Wanasek Stage • 8:30 p.m. Bella Cain, Main Stage

Saturday, May 25 • 10 a.m. Festival and carnival open • 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Chocolate Experience Tent open • 1:30 p.m., Chris Jones, Wanasek Stage • 10 a.m. Chocolate Eating Contest, Chocolate Tent • 11 a.m. Giant Choc Jenga, Chocolate Tent • Noon Kids Cookies Decorating, Chocolate Tent • Noon, 3 p.m., 6 p.m., Granpa Cratchet, Family Land • 1 p.m. Chef Demonstration, Chocolate Tent • 1 p.m., 4, p.m., 7 p.m. Kid Buck Game Show, Family Land • 2 p.m. Squad 51, Main Stage • 2 p.m. Chocolate eating Contest, Chocolate Tent

ED NADOLSKI ChocolateFest News

Cousin Otto and two of his companion clowns make a little bubble magic Monday during the Memorial Day parade in downtown Burlington.

• 3 p.m. Cupcake Eating Contest, Chocolate Tent • 3:30 p.m. Failure to Launch, Wanasek Stage • 2 p.m., Felfra, Cantina Stage • 4 p.m. Chef Demonstration, Chocolate Tent • 5 p.m. Choco Minute to Win it Adult, Chocolate Tent • 5:30 p.m. Day Rollers, Main Stage • 5:30 p.m., Chris Jones, Cantina Stage

• 6 p.m. Chef Demonstration, Chocolate Tent • 7 p.m. Chocolate Mixology, Chocolate Tent • 7:30 p.m. Exit Plan, Cantina Stage • 7:30 p.m. Petty Kings – Tom Petty Tribute, Wanasek Stage • 8 p.m. Chocolate Eating Contest, Chocolate Tent • 8:30 p.m. Almighty Vinyl, Main Stage

Sunday, May 26 • 9:30 a.m. Chocoholic 5K/10K, Riverside Park and Seven Waters Trail, www. chocoholic.5k.run • 10 a.m. Festival and carnival open • 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Chocolate Experience Tent open • 10 a.m. Chocolate Eating Contest, Chocolate Tent

See SCHEDULE, Page 6

Special events Fireworks Friday, May 24, 9 p.m., sponsored by Community State Bank and Mangold Insurance.

Chocoholic 5K Sunday, May 26, 9:30 a.m.

Riverside Park and Seven Waters Trail www.chocoholic.5k.run Jaycees Arts & Crafts Saturday and Sunday, May 25 and 26, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Helicopter rides (weather permitting) Chocolate Sculpting Competition Friday through Sunday, May 24 to 26

KATIE SOBIESKI ChocolateFest News

contests, for kids and adults, are Chocolate-eating contests are held several times a day during ChocolateFest’s run. The in the Chocolate Experience Tent.

Veteran’s Memorial Day Parade Monday, May 27, 9 a.m. through downtown Burlington. Followed by Memorial Service at 10:30 a.m. in Echo Park

2019 CHOCOLATEFEST NEWS

• Choco Vegas

(Continued from page 3)

IF YOU GO WHAT: ChocolateFest – “Viva Choco Vegas!”

WHERE: ChocolateFest grounds, 681 Maryland Ave., Burlington WHEN: Memorial Day weekend, May 24 to 27; carnival opens May 23 COST: Adults, $8; children 5 to 12, $5 (at the gate) INFO: chocolatefest.com

• Schedule

will run all four days of the festival. Local chefs will demonstrate chocolate-themed appetizers, entrees and desserts and have samples available to the crowd.

“We have an expanded list of chef demonstrations, which means a lot more samples,” Runkel said.

The Chocolate Experience Taster tickets are $7 and entitle the visitor to 12 chocolate samples inside the tent.

On stage On the music front, Bella Cain returns to ChocolateFest to headline Friday night on the Main Stage. The popular country group takes the stage at 8:30 p.m.

Also returning to the festival are the Lunchmoney Bullies, Cherry Pie, Mad Bark and Squad 51. Other musical acts on the Main Stage throughout the weekend include the Day Rollers, Will Rock – Almighty Vinyl and the Astro Blues Band.

Festival history According to the ChocolateFest website, the event began in 1985 when Bill Branen, Jack Berry and Dave Wright, of the Burlington Standard Press, along with Henry Spreaha and Henk Hasert of Nestle, Mayor Marty Itzin and the Burlington Area Chamber of Commerce, created the

festival to draw tourists to Burlington and to celebrate Nestle’s 20th anniversary in the community.

With Nestlé’s help, the original organizers planned and marketed a Chocolate Festival and gave Burlington the nickname of “Chocolate City U.S.A.” The first festival was in May of 1987 and entertainment was hosted at local school auditoriums and athletic fields.

Over the years, the event has grown to host tens of thousands of visitors each year on the ChocolateFest grounds in downtown Burlington.

For a full schedule of events during Burlington’s ChocolateFest, visit chocolatefest.com.

(Continued from page 5)

• 11 a.m. Kids Cupcake Decorating, Chocolate Tent • Noon Cupcake Eating Contest, Chocolate Tent • Noon Gravity of Youth, Main Stage • Noon, 3 p.m., 6 p.m., Granpa Cratchet, Family Land • Noon, Mariachi, Cantina Stage • 1 p.m., 4, p.m., 7 p.m. Kid Buck Game Show, Family Land • 1:20 p.m., Miss Latina Racine County, Cantina Stage • 2 p.m. Mad Bark, Main Stage • 2 p.m., Wax Lips, Cantina Stage • 2 p.m. Choco-Minute to Win it Kids, Chocolate Tent • 3 p.m. Chef Demonstration, Chocolate Tent

• 3:30 p.m. 76 Juliet, Wanasek Stage • 3:30 p.m., Old Wolves, Cantina Stage • 4 p.m. Chocolate Eating Contest, Chocolate Tent • 5 p.m. Chef Demonstration, Chocolate Tent • 5:30 p.m. Astro Blues Band, Main Stage • 5:30 p.m., Chris Jones, Cantina Stage • 6 p.m. Project Yum-way, Chocolate Tent • 7 p.m. Kids Sundae Contest, Chocolate Tent • 7 p.m. Altered Five Blues Band, Wanasek Stage • 7:30 p.m. Generation Z, Cantina Stage • 7:30 p.m., Category X, Café North • 8 p.m. Chocolate Eating Contest, Chocolate Tent

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Monday, May 27 • 9 a.m. Veterans Memorial Day Parade, downtown Burlington • 10:30 a.m. Memorial Day observances, Echo Park • 11 a.m. Festival opens • 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Chocolate Experience Tent open • 11 a.m. Kids Cookie Decorating, Chocolate Tent • Noon Chris Jones, Chocolate Tent • Noon to 7 p.m. Carnival open • Noon The Britins, Main Stage

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2019 CHOCOLATEFEST NEWS

ChocolateFest Who’s on the Main Stage at

Bella Cain

The popular county group Bella Cain returns to ChocolateFest Friday night at 8:30 p.m. The band has headlined the festival for the past four years and is a favorite of local music lovers.

With more than 23 members in the band, that include musicians, dancers, sound and light engineers, techs/crew, merchandise staff and drivers, the group can be seen performing across the Midwest, rocking the stages of Country Thunder, Country USA, SummerFest, FM106 and US-99 Sponsored Events, Navy Pier, State Fair, Allstate Arena, Bradley Center as well as headlining many fairs and private festivals in Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana and Michigan, just to name a few.

Established in 2010, the group has become one of the largest and most “in-demand” top 40 country groups in the region.

For more information, visit bellacain.net or find them on Facebook.

Squad 51

Squad 51 performs classic rock tunes with a little country and blues on top. Dance to the likes of The Doobie Brothers, Johnny Cash, Tom Petty, B.B. King, Sister Hazel, and many more. Squad 51 is a four-piece band that plays all over southeastern Wisconsin.

The band will be on the Main Stage at noon on Saturday, May 25.

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/squad51band.

The Lunchmoney Bulllies

The Lunchmoney Bullies are from southeast Wisconsin and another returning fair favorite.

The group plays cover rock, country, reggae and rap songs, with a twist. They take the Main Stage Sunday at 8:30 p.m.

For more information, visit www.lunchmoneybullies.com.

The Britins

The Britins recreate the era that influenced so many top groups and artists today. Check them out at ChocolateFest as they bring their rendition of America’s favorite hits from the Fab 4 with songs like “Love Me Do,” to the moving words of “Let It Be.” For more information, visit www.thebritins.com.

PF & the Flatheads

Pete Flynn, Mark Taylor and Andy Spitson make up PF & the Flatheads and have been entertaining crowds at local venues and events.

The group, which hails from Elkhorn, sings hits from the 1950s and 60s from artists such as Buddy Holly, Elvis, Chubby Checker, Chuck Berry, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Del Shannon, Bobby Darin and more.

PF & the Flatheads take to the Main Stage at 3:30 p.m.

Memorial Day to close out the 2019 ChocolateFest.

Main Stage schedule Thursday, May 23 7:30 p.m. Wiil Rock and Cherry Pie Friday, May 24 8:30 p.m. Bella Cain Saturday, May 25 2 p.m. Squad 51 5:30 p.m. Dayrollers 8:30 p.m. Almighty Vinyl Sunday, May 26 Noon Gravity of Youth 2 p.m. Mad Bark 5:30 p.m. Astro Blues Band 8:30 p.m. Lunchmoney Bullies Monday, May 27 Noon The Britins 3:30 p.m. PF and the Flatheads Above: Bella Cain performs on the Main Stage at last year’s ChocolateFest. The popular country group returns to headline Friday night at the festival this year.

Band members shown are: Judson Brown (from left), Amber Dawn, Rob Harvey, Russ Greeley, and Fred Krubel.

CHAD HENSIAK ChocolateFest News

Taste the chocolate 2019 CHOCOLATEFEST NEWS

VISIT THE CHOCOLATE EXPERIENCE TENT FOR A SWEET TREAT If you’re looking for the star of the show at ChocolateFest, it’s under the big top.

The Chocolate Experience Tent is where festival goers find the main attraction.

With free Nestle Tollhouse Chocolate Chip Cookies all day long, chef demonstrations, activities and contests, the Chocolate Tent is ready to satisfy that sweet tooth.

One of the highlights at the Chocolate Experience is the Chocolate Sculpting Contest. Area artists spend hours creating elaborate works of chocolate art while festival goers watch. Once the sculpting is complete on Sunday night, the artwork is judged and prizes awarded.

For those looking to try as many chocolate samples as possible, the festival offers a Chocolate Experience Taster Ticket for $7. The ticket is redeemable for 12 chocolate samples inside the tent.

Watch the chefs The popular chef demonstrations are once again a featured activity at the Chocolate Experience.

Chefs scheduled to give demos at this year’s ChocolateFest include Anna and Vincenz Pedone from Napoli Restaurant, Pizzeria and Catering in Burlington; Chef Ralph Zumpano from Zumpano’s Ristorante and Pizzeria in Burlington; Kevin Rausch of Milwaukee’s Potawatomi Hotel and Casino; Heidi Skokut of Oak Park Place Assisted Living in Burlington; and Pat Murphy from Wauwatosa’s Ultimate Confections.

Chef demonstrations run all weekend long in the Chocolate Experience and visitors can sample the demo food at the end of each session.

Let the games begin The Chocolate Tent hosts several games throughout the weekend, for kids of all ages.

The Choco Minute-To-Win-It has two categories, adults and kids. Like the popular game show Minute-To-Win-It on NBC, contestants race the clock to complete physical challenges involving everyday items and, of course, chocolate.

Also returning for another run is Project Yum Way. The fashion-design contest is inspired

by Bravo’s hit show Project Runway and pits teams of designers against each other and the clock in a race to construct a wearable outfit out of candy wrappers for judging by the audience on the runway.

Teams of three to five designers are provided “mocha money” to purchase yards of candy-wrapper, basic materials and accessories at the festival’s “Chocolate Store.”

Teams have 30 minutes to design and construct their outfit. Local fashion experts and sewing masters will consult with and offer advice to teams as they work. Each team’s fashion will be exhibited down the runway by one of the

Dan Ingebrigtson works on his chocolate sculpture titled, “Unwrap Your Chocolate Power,” during last year’s ChocolateFest in Burlington. The annual Chocolate Sculpting Competition runs all weekend in the Chocolate Experience Tent.

ED NADOLSKI ChocolateFest News

team’s own members. Only materials provided by contest organizers can be used.

Another popular game is the festival’s Giant Chocolate Jenga. Participants put their Jenga skills to the test in the deliciously amped-up version of the game, featuring life-size, faux-chocolate blocks.

Players take turns removing a block from the giant tower and then placing it on top. The player who successfully stacks the final block before the tower falls wins. Fun prizes (and chocolate!) will be awarded to the winning players.

Just for the kids Anyone bringing kids to the festival should make it a point to plan extra time for them to experience the chocolate. The tent has kids activities all weekend long, including the ever-popular Chocolate Chunk Dig where the little ones can chip away at giant blocks of chocolate to find prizes.

Kids also have their own chocolate eating contests, cupcake and cookie decorating along with games like ChocoMinute to Win it Kids to keep them busy.

Visit the vendors The Chocolate Marketplace is another great place to visit in the Chocolate Experience. Visitors can purchase chocolate, sweets and more from the festival’s chocolate vendors, including: • Aunt Mabel’s Fudge Co. – Premiumquality fudge;

• Chocolate Fountain; • Bubble Waffle Shoppes; • Angelic Imports – Goufrais, a German “Kakao-Konfekt; • The Cocoa Exchange – Previously Dove Chocolate Discoveries. Direct selling business that hosts home chocolate tasting experiences. Three chocolate lines – Dove Chocolate, Pure Dark and Pod and Bean.

• Ma Ma P’s HoHo Cakes – Specialty cakes in chocolate, Resse’s, Oreo and Heath Caramel flavors; • Sherwood’s Fabulous Fudge – Hand-crafted artisan fudge bars in 55

2019 Chocolate Experience schedule Friday, May 24 5 p.m. Chocolate Eating Contest 6 p.m. Chef Demonstration 7 p.m. Chef Demonstration 8 p.m. Chocolate Eating Contest Saturday, May 25 10 a.m. Chocolate Eating Contest 11 a.m. Giant Choc Jenga Noon Kids Cookie Decorating 1 p.m. Chef Demonstration 2 p.m. Chocolate Eating Contest 3 p.m. Cupcake Eating Contest 4 p.m. Chef Demonstration 5 p.m. Choco Minute to Win It Adult 6 p.m. Chef Demonstration 7 p.m. Chocolate Mixology 8 p.m. Chocolate Eating Contest

flavors; • The Cocoa Exchange (formerly Dove Chocolate Discoveries) – Dove Chocolate, Pure Dark and Pod and Bean; • Rich’s House of Cakes – Cake Bakery; • Carrie’s Crispies – Gourmet Rice Crispie treats; • The Pretzel Shoppe Chocolate covered pretzels; • Chocolates by Lori – handdipped chocolates; • Worldwide LTD – ChocolateFest Souveniors; and • TSTOFFEE – English toffee

Sunday, May 26 10 a.m. Chocolate Eating Contest 11 a.m. Kids Cupcake Decorating Noon Cupcake Eating Contest 1 p.m. Chef Demonstration 2 p.m. Choco-Minute to Win It Kids 3 p.m. Chef Demonstration 4 p.m. Chocolate Eating Contest 5 p.m. Chef Demonstration 6 p.m. Project Yum-Way 7 p.m. Kids Sundae Contest 8 p.m. Chocolate Eating Contest Monday, May 27 11 a.m. Kids Cookie Decorating Noon Chris Jones 1 p.m. Chef Demonstration 2 p.m. Cupcake Eating Contest 3 p.m. Chef Demonstration 4 p.m. Kids Cookie Decorating 5 p.m. Chocolate Eating Contest

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2019 CHOCOLATEFEST NEWS

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Page 11

Fireworks explode over the Ferris wheel Friday on the opening night of Burlington’s 2018 ChocolateFest.

This year’s fireworks display almost didn’t happen, but a couple generous sponsors stepped up to the plate to ensure the tradition continues.

Festival fireworks are back on

JOSIAH RENO ChocolateFest News

COMMUNITY STATE BANK, MANGOLD INSURANCE STEP UP AS SPONSORS

By Ed Nadolski EDITOR IN CHIEF

ChocolateFest will begin with a bang again in 2019.

The fireworks that have become a 19year tradition on the opening night of the annual Memorial Day weekend festival in Burlington are back on after a pair of local businesses stepped up to sponsor the display.

Community State Bank and Mangold Insurance have joined forces to fund this year’s ChocolateFest fireworks display, according to festival President Bil Scherrer.

The fireworks were initially dropped from the schedule for opening night – on May 24 this year – after longtime sponsor Runzheimer discontinued it’s annual support and organizers were unable to find a replacement.

The Waterford-based business consulting firm was sold to an out-of-state private equity firm in early 2018.

Scherrer said the company’s former chairman, Rex Runzheimer, was a generous supporter of the festival, but is no longer involved in the workings of the company that still bears his name.

Tyson Fettes

Jim Mangold

“Our fireworks show has been a loved tradition in our community for many years,” Scherrer said in a statement issued jointly by ChocolateFest and the new sponsors. “I’m really happy that Community State Bank and Mangold Insurance stepped up and donated the needed funds to continue the tradition.”

Last year, $15,000 of Runheimer’s sponsorship was applied to fireworks, according to Scherrer.

The new sponsorship agreement came together after both local businesses learned of the shortfall for 2019.

Tyson Fettes, the new market president for Community State Bank, and Jim Mangold, president of Mangold Insurance, Inc., said they saw it as a prime opportunity to give back to the community.

“One of the benefits of being in a close-knit community is networking with local businesses and partnering to help our market areas grow and succeed,” said Fettes, who recently stepped down as the Racine County Register of Deeds to accept the position with Community State Bank.

“The opportunity presented itself and I think Jim and I both knew right away that this was something we could make happen as a team.”

Mangold said events like ChocolateFest are the key to holding communities together.

“Our organization continually gives back to the Burlington community because we know that without events, strong businesses and involved community members, our hometown cannot grow,” he said. “I hope other local business owners see that immediate need and join us to help support our community.”

Both Mangold and Fettes grew up in Burlington.

ChocolateFest runs May 24 through 27 on the festival grounds at 618 Maryland Ave. The fireworks are set for 9 p.m. on May 24 with a rain date of May 25.

Scherrer said the best way for area residents to support the festival and reward sponsors like Community State Bank and Mangold Insurance is to buy a ticket for opening night of ChocolateFest.

“I’d like the community to show their love and support by coming onto the festival grounds on that Friday night and enjoy all the festival has to offer,” Scherrer said. “If you want the festival to continue, get the best seat in the house – up close and personal – and walk the grounds with the fireworks exploding overhead. Ride one of the carnival rides – like the big Ferris wheel – and get a unique view that way.”

The festival features four stages of live entertainment, food vendors, a carnival and its signature Chocolate Experience tent.

Proceeds from the festival are funneled back into the community through the local organizations that provide the festival’s volunteer workforce.

For more information regarding ChocolateFest visit ChocolateFest.com.

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2019 CHOCOLATEFEST NEWS

ChocolateFest at a glance

Answers to the most frequently asked questions Here’s a listing of things you need to know when heading out to the festival:

vendors, chef demonstrations, chocolate eating contests, and a variety of family-friendly activities.

The tent is open from 4 to 9 p.m. on Friday, May 24; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, May 25 and 26; and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Memorial Day, May 27.

the Chocolate Experience Tent.

Some chocolate vendors pass out samples outside of the Taster Ticket. Visitors may purchase as many Taster Tickets as they like. Every patron also gets a free Nestlé cookie in the Chocolate Experience tent.

Are there extra costs?

Is alcohol served?

Access to all music stages, Chocolate Experience Tent and Expo Tent are included with gate entrance.

In addition to the entrance ticket costs, there are activities that cost additional money, including a large selection of food and other vendors, which charge for their fare.

The carnival charges for its rides. In the Chocolate Experience tent, chocolate vendors charge for the chocolate items they sell. Visitors may also purchase a Taster Ticket for $7, which allows them to sample 12 items from predetermined chocolate vendors. Various other activities in the chocolate tent are free.

Anyone younger than 21 must be accompanied by parent or legal guardian to enter the Main Stage/Beer Tent area prior to 8 p.m. Fair goers must be 21 or older to enter the Main Stage area after 8 p.m.; no exceptions.

Who are the vendors?

How much to get in?

Tickets may be purchased online at www.chocolatefest.com.

Adult tickets are $7, children’s tickets (age 5 to 12) are $4; children age 4 and younger are admitted free of charge with an adult. At the gate, adult tickets are $8; children’s tickets are $5, with kids 4 and younger free.

Admission is free for all active military personnel.

What are the festival hours?

The carnival opens Thursday night from 5 to 10 p.m. with no gate admission charge.

ChocolateFest begins Friday, opening at 4 p.m. and closing at midnight. Fireworks at scheduled to begin at dusk.

Saturday and Sunday the festival is open from 10 a.m. to midnight and Monday, ChocolateFest opens after the Memorial Day parade and observances in Burlington, noon to 7 p.m.

ChocolateFest has food and merchant vendor booths. The carnival includes several games booths in addition to rides.

The festival also has a tent dedicated to commercial vendors.

And the Chocolate Experience tent houses the festival’s chocolate vendor booths.

Who’s in charge?

Burlington’s ChocolateFest is run completely by volunteers, who work on behalf of non-profit organizations to earn money for their organization. So, in that sense, dozens of non-profit organization are represented at the festival.

The vendors and the carnival, however, represent themselves and not part of the non-profit groups or the festival.

The festival operations committee also consists of all volunteers.

Are there samples?

What are the Chocolate Experience tent hours?

The Chocolate Experience tent houses the chocolate

Visitors who purchase a $7 Taster Ticket, will receive 12 chocolate samples from pre-determined chocolate vendors in

Can I carry anything in?

ChocolateFest does not allow carry-ins.

What does parking cost?

General festival parking on the ChocolateFest grounds is available for $5 per vehicle.

Parking is accessed at the corner of Milwaukee and Maryland Avenues.

Some local businesses also supply parking for a wide range of fees; most are located around the festival grounds mainly on Milwaukee Avenue. On-street parking may be available on a first-come first-served basis. Fair goers are advised to check local ordinances before using on-street parking.

Where are the restrooms?

The festival has portable toilets in various places around the grounds.

Can I use my credit card?

Credit/debit cards are accepted at the gate and at most vendors. ATMs are available on the grounds for a small ATM fee.

Can I bring my dog?

No pets on the grounds with the exception of registered service animals.

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Unwrapping the fun

2019 CHOCOLATEFEST NEWS

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The theme for the 2018 ChocolateFest was “Unwrap Your Chocolate Power” and even though the extreme heat melted some chocolate, it didn’t stop the fun. Clockwise from top: The carnival at ChocolateFest is sponsored by the Burlington Rotary Club and features North American Midway Entertainment; kids dig for treasure at the Chocolate Chunk Dig in the Chocolate Experience Tent; chocolate lovers compete in a chocolate eating competition in the Chocolate Experience last year; and artists compete in the Chocolate Sculpting Contest.

PHOTOS BY KATIE SOBIESKI ChocolateFest News

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2019 CHOCOLATEFEST NEWS

ChocolateFest A BRIEF HISTORY OF

In 1985 Bill Branen, Jack Berry, and Dave Wright of the Burlington Standard Press along with Henry Spreaha and Hank Hasert of Nestle, Mayor Marty Itzin and the Burlington Area Chamber of Commerce, brainstormed a way to draw tourists to Burlington and to celebrate Nestle’s 20th anniversary of doing business in Burlington.

They capitalized upon the idea that most people love chocolate and with Nestle’s help, they planned and marketed a Chocolate Festival, giving Burlington the nickname of “Chocolate City U.S.A.” The first actual festival was in May of 1987 and entertainment was hosted at local school auditoriums and athletic fields. The big act that first year was the Kingston Trio.

By 1988 Hershey’s had taken the city to court over its nickname, “Chocolate City U.S.A.” which took a couple of years and much publicity, including an article in the Wall Street Journal, to resolve. After the first year, the festival date was moved to the third weekend in May (the weekend after Mother’s Day).

In 1992, following several years of changing locations to hold the festival, the need for a permanent site was evident.

With the help of the city, an unused parcel of about 15 acres and a new purchase of about five acres were put together.

Several chairmen coordinated the festival including Jack Berry, Kurt Ludwig, Kathy Zdanowski, and Bob Branen (Bill’s son) until he resigned in 1998.

With no heir apparent, the Burlington Chamber of Commerce polled local charities and service clubs to assess the effect of not having a Chocolate City Festival upon their budgets. They all were very concerned, since the Festival had become, for many of them, their major fund-raiser.

After twelve years, the Burlington Chocolate Festival was facing a number of challenges including the time and effort required to produce it every year. With a family and his own business to run, Bob Branen approached the Burlington Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee in the fall of 1998 requesting

FILE PHOTO ChocolateFest News

Burlington’s ChocolateFest is celebrating its 34th year in 2019. The festival has grown to be the city’s largest event with more than 30,000 people attending annually.

their assistance with a plan to continue the festival.

Upon acceptance, Bil Scherrer along with several dedicated local residents, many who previously served on the Chamber board, began to flesh out a new Operations Committee. This committee would carry out the huge workload of the festival by basically dividing the responsibility into several key areas – administrative, entertainment, grounds, marketing, media, operations, sponsorship, vendors, and volunteers.

Chocolate City Festival was renamed ChocolateFest and the new focus of ChocolateFest was to maximize its ability to help local charities and service clubs

raise money while bringing a fun tourist oriented event to the city.

ChocolateFest is a separate non-profit organization with its own board and it is not controlled by the city. In 2012, more than 750 volunteers staffed the Memorial Day weekend of ChocolateFest.

ChocolateFest timeline 1999 – New group takes over running ChocolateFest, adopting the title of “Operations Committee.” ChocolateFest parade is cancelled due to expenses and ability to organize it in time.

2000 – Began a “branding” program by developing a new logo and web page to go on all promotional materials.

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ChocolateFest parade is brought back thanks to Aurora. Sponsorship marketing program employed, involving all levels of the business community. Eliminated national musical acts and focused on regional acts. Beer tent added with sponsorship from C.J.W./Miller Lite.

2001 – A slightly profitable year for ChocolateFest with approximately $140,000 to charities and clubs. More blacktop is laid down creating better walking conditions.

2002 – Cold weather leads to a loss of more than $70,000 to festival but charities and clubs still made about $100,000.

Operations Committee refocuses on cost cutting.

2003 – Budget is $320,000 and projects a “reasonable” profit with $140,000 to charities and service clubs.

2004 – ChocolateFest is given the opportunity to move to Memorial Day Weekend. Permanent grandstand is built in the Family Land Area. Material and labor was all donated.

2005 – The move to a four-day weekend proved to be successful. ChocolateFest parade is now officially titled “Veteran’s Memorial Day Parade.”

2006 – Chocolate Experience Tent is created with a dynamic emphasis on chocolate vendors and activities.

2008 – A significant upgrade in electrical infrastructure is installed on the grounds.

2010 – Established an Executive Committee.

2012 – Long-time advocate, and strong supporter, as well as member of the Operations and Executive Committee, James L Wanasek passes away. His son John Wanasek continues in his roles.

2013 – After 26 years, Nestle Foods & Confections announces that they will no longer be able to produce the creation inhouse. They will support ChocolateFest as much as possible as they try to secure an outside source.

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2014 – With temperatures in the 80s for most of the holiday weekend and no rain until Monday afternoon, festival president Bil Scherrer called it the best-ever Memorial Day weekend for ChocolateFest. Attendance was up about 25 percent.

2015 – The rainy weather put a damper on the ChocolateFest activities, but fairgoers made the best of the soggy

situation.

2016 – ChocolateFest celebrates its 30th festival last year. Nestle USA celebrated 50 years in Burlington.

2017 – While rain on the opening night put a bit of a damper on things, the weather cooperated for most of the weekend and more than 37,000 people attended the festival, an increase of about 3,000 from 2016. Revenue from

the festival was up as well, about 10 percent.

2018 – With temperatures more suited for melting rather than savoring chocolate, Burlington’s ChocolateFest withstood a string of 90-degree days last year to finish in the black for 2018. The festival generated about $115,000 and more than 30,000 people came through the gates.

The future – ChocolateFest continues to make Burlington a destination point during Memorial Day Weekend for people of all ages to enjoy with friends and family. Organizers say facility improvements, keeping what works well, improving where needed, and bringing in new people to carry out the mission will sustain ChocolateFest for years to come.

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