Chocolate ... to your heart’s content

MONROE — The Chocolate Expo, the nation’s largest chocolate festival, returns for a second year to Museum Village in Monroe on Sunday, Oct. 21, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Last year, more than 5,000 people visited to taste, purchase and indulge in gourmet chocolates, baked goods, specialty foods, cheeses, craft sodas, wines, hard ciders, distilled spirits and more at more than 60 vendor booths, while touring Museum Village.
The festival, which has been featured on The Dr. Oz Show and PBS, will be held rain-or-shine under a huge tent.
The website candyusa.com says research supports that chocolate can be enjoyed as part of a balanced, heart-healthy diet and lifestyle. The average serving of milk chocolate has about the same amount of caffeine as a cup of decaffeinated coffee.
Studies have demonstrated that one of the major saturated fats in chocolate does not raise cholesterol like other hard fats - meaning chocolate can be enjoyed in moderation, according to the website.
And, each cacao tree produces approximately 2,500 beans. It takes 400 beans to make one pound of chocolate.
Hudson Valley as tourist destinationChocolate Expo Creator and Producer Marvin Baum said the Hudson Valley region has become one of the greatest culinary destinations nationwide.
Bringing the expo to Monroe, he added, also reinforces the Hudson Valley being a tourism destination.
The Monroe venue is also an accessible location for people living in the area, Baum said, who are looking for something different to do close to home.
ChocolatiersParticipating chocolatiers include Bacon Bites, Carousel Sweets, Chocolate Moonshine, Chocolate Works, Emalyn Sweets, Pretzel Princess, Raw Chocolate Love, Teacher’s Recipe Fudge and Villakayaya Chocolate.
Other participants include: Drink More Good, Magnolia House Honey, Red Oak Foods, The Cheese Guy, Uncle Jimmy’s Cheesecakes, Vesco Foods, Whipped-Up and Wild Coyote Hot Sauces.
For ready-to-eat treats, Aurora Gourmet will have fountains flowing with white, dark and milk chocolate, while Crazy Crepe Cafe will be making chocolate crepes and grilled cheese sandwiches.
Other vendors, displaysCraft beverages vendors include: Adirondack Winery, Liquid Altitude, Olde York Farm, Oliva Vineyards, Pazdar Winery and Yankee Folly Cidery, among others.
Among Museum Village’s displays are a one-room school house, log cabin, blacksmith shop, print shop, broom shop, candle shop, power house and “Prince Harry” – one of three of the most complete mastodon skeletons in the world.
Musical guests include the Roddy Harrington Band and the Gravikord Duo. Adam RealMan, a classic Coney Island sideshow-style entertainer, will bring his sword swallowing and feats of strength show to the expo.
For children, there will be free face painting and other activities.
EssentialsThe complete schedule of events is posted at www.TheChocolateExpo.com.
Tickets can be purchased online for $15 per adult and $10 per child (ages 4 to 12). At the door, tickets are $20 per adult and $15 per child (ages 4 to 12).
A “Late Day Special” ticket for admission after 3 p.m. is available online for $10 per person for all ages and $15 at the door.
Tickets to The Chocolate Expo include regular admission to Museum Village.
For more information and to purchase tickets online, visit www.TheChocolateExpo.com.
- Nancy Kriz