11th Annual Chocolate Affair February 4, 2012

Arvada Festivals Commission and Historic Olde Town Arvada 11th Annual Chocolate Affair

Chocolate contains a natural substance that is reputed to stimulate the same reaction in the body as falling in love!

Olde Town Arvada (W. 57th Ave. & Olde Wadsworth) celebrates all things chocolate at the 11th Annual Chocolate Affair on Saturday, February 4 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This fun family event, presented by the Arvada Festivals Commission and Historic Olde Town Arvada, features a Taste of Chocolate, the Chocolate Treasure Hunt, a Chocolate Cookie Contest, romantic carriage rides, face painting, balloon artistry and storytelling.

Taste of Chocolate presented at the DNote 7519 Grandview Ave and DiCicco’s Banquet Room on Olde Wadsworth Blvd. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Calorie-craving chocolate lovers can sample chocolate-based food and drink presented by several invited chocolatiers, bakers, and restaurants. Six sample tickets are $5.00.

Join the adventure of the Chocolate Treasure Hunt, 11 a.m. to 2: 30 p. m.

Visit Olde Town stores searching for creative chocolate clues. Teams and individuals will compete for prize drawings of large chocolate-enriched baskets of goodies. Last year over 20 businesses provided clues and over 400 people participated in the hunt. This is a free family fun activity.

Back again this year, the Chocolate Cookie Contest is open to amateur bakers of all ages to show off their skills by entering a favorite cookie delight. The cookie categories are: decorated chocolate or chocolate chip. For the cookie contest, five cookie samples should be dropped off at the DiCicco’s Banquet Room on Olde Wadsworth Blvd between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. on a disposable plate. No cost to enter. One entry per person. Prizes will be awarded in each category.

For $25 you can declare your love from the Olde Town lampposts with a giant personalized heart.

Hearts will hang from the lampposts on Wadsworth Boulevard and Grandview Avenue. Call the Historic Olde Town Arvada office at 303-420-6100 to order your heart.

From 4 to 6 p.m. Sooper Credit Union Foundation presents "An Affair with Sentimental Sounds" hosted by DNote, 7519 Grandview Ave.

Sentimental Sounds provide music to accompany appetizers and a silent auction. Proceeds support a college scholarship fund and several local organizations such as the Arvada Community Food Bank and the Ralston House. Tickets are $10 at the door (cash bar).

Taste of Chocolate benefits the Arvada Ralston House. Last year the 13 chocolatiers participating in Taste of Chocolate helped raise over $2,000 helping Ralston House provide crisis intervention and support services for abused children and teens.

Chocolate producers and retailers are invited to join the Taste of Chocolate and offer samples of their sweet treats. For more information about the event Taste of Chocolate call the Historic Olde Town Arvada office at 303-420-6100.

The Arvada Festivals Commission will produce seven varied events in 2012, entertaining over 45,000 guests. To become a member or volunteer for an event call 720-898-7400 or visit www.arvadafestivals.com.