Carolina Chocolate Festival

THE SIXTH ANNUAL CAROLINA CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL, held throughout Carteret County, will include four new extra special events during its February 1 – 3 celebration.  The main event will be presented at the Crystal Coast Civic Center in Morehead City on Saturday and Sunday, featuring 30 Chocolatiers from across the nation who will offer samples and sales of their incredibly tasty treats.  This important annual fundraiser continues to benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Coastal Carolina, Carteret County Domestic Violence Program, Ginger’s House, 4-H Club, Beaufort Women’s Club, Beaufort Sister Cities, Croatan High School Choir, and other local charities.  This year, the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, the Beaufort Music Festival, and Potters for Parkinson’s will join as beneficiaries in the effort to raise money for local programs. The main event is scheduled from 9 am – 6 pm on Saturday and from 10 am – 3 pm on Sunday. Tickets are $8 for adults, $2 for children ages 5-12; children under 5 are admitted free.  More information is available by calling 1-877-848-4976 or by visiting www.carolinachocolatefestival.com.

With seven additional chocolate affairs held throughout the weekend, there will be something exciting to do for anyone and everyone who loves to experience this fabulous food.  The weekend kicks off Friday night with a choice between a delightful dinner or terrific music.  “An Evening Wrapped in Chocolate” is an outstanding feast, served up by acclaimed Chef Charles Park (of Shepard’s Point fame), beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the new Country Club of the Crystal Coast, located at 152 Oakleaf Drive in Pine Knoll Shores.   This gala dinner is being organized by and will benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Coastal Carolina.  Tickets will be sold for $125 per couple, or $75 per individual.  If it’s music you crave, join the organizers of the Beaufort Music Festival for their 1^st annual Carolina Chocolate Festival concert from at 7:00 p.m. for a rockin’ good time at Joslyn Hall on the campus of Carteret Community College, adjacent to the Civic Center.

When you attend the Chocolate Festival on Saturday, you will have the additional option of joining celebrated chefs at our new Chocolate Sense-ations Party, featuring exciting cooking demonstrations.  This exclusive party, held in the upstairs balcony rooms of the Civic Center, will also highlight a Bake-Off for professionals from across the state.  Don’t miss your chance to sample the best in chocolate desserts and to vote for the People’s Choice Award.  This event will take place every hour between 1:00 and 4:00 p.m. for a ticket price of $10 per person.

But your Saturday doesn’t end there – after indulging in those free samples, grab a sandwich or hot-dog prepared by American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life team, watch the kids compete in a chocolate pudding-eating contest, and then get ready to really unwind at the Chocolate Spa Night.  Beginning at 3 p.m., head over to the Hampton Inn in Morehead City to relax and revel in chocolate decadence!  Featuring “Chocolate Fix” mini-massages and manicures, facials, pedicures & salon-perfect hairstyling, you can truly feed body and soul at this popular event.  In addition, Mutual Distributing Company is donating its Rosa Regale Champagne to enhance the evening - a very unique red sparkling wine from Italy, the bouquet is loaded with hints of raspberries and roses.  Once in your mouth this wine screams for chocolate, and you won’t be disappointed with our fabulous gourmet desserts!  All of this chocolate dreaminess in one event is available for only $50 per person.

If you're not into facials and make-up, we recommend the newest of the Chocolate Festival galas, The Enchanted Evening.  Featuring internationally acclaimed Jazz Vocalist Yolanda Hall, this appetizing event will be held at the History Place in Morehead City, and will include hors d’oeuvres and a chocolate dessert buffet.  Tickets are available for $50 each, and the celebration, including dancing and an exciting auction, is dedicated to raising funds for the Raab Clinic. 

If all of this sounds great, but just not quite enough, then join us Sunday morning before heading to the Festival for a Sunday Brunch at Shepard’s Point.  The Pet Adoption and Welfare Society (PAWS) invites you to enjoy magnificent chocolate creations while assisting the charitable organization with their indefatigable efforts in animal rescue and foster care.  The full course buffet will include many of owner Charles Park's signature dishes and, in keeping with the weekend theme of "you can't get too much chocolate", will be topped off with special chocolate treats.Tickets for the brunch are available for $25 at the PAWS Thrift Store, located at 1211 Bridges Street.

Sunday is special at the festival as we celebrate our troops by offering free admission to those who present their military I.D. at the door.  In addition, we invite young and old to another terrific new event; an entertaining Bingo Party, beginning at noon in the upstairs balcony rooms of the Civic Center.  Benefiting Potters for Parkinson’s, the prizes and surprises are sure to be chocolaty-good!

So if you think there just isn’t anything to do on the Crystal Coast during the winter months, you haven’t been to the Carolina Chocolate Festival, a sumptuous celebration of chocolate and charity.  Held annually the first weekend of February at the Crystal Coast Civic Center in Carteret County, this taste extravaganza continues to raise funds for important local charities.  Tickets for all events will be on sale at the festival on Saturday or can be purchased in advance at New York Deli on the Atlantic Beach Causeway, at Arts & Things gallery or Bountiful Bagel in Morehead City, or by calling 877-848-4976. For information regarding vendor applications or sponsorships, please call event director Janet Grainge at 252-241-1259.  Details can be found online at www.carolinachocolatefestival.com.