Long Grove presents long-standing tribute to all things chocolate this weekend

You may notice a few changes in the annual Chocolate Fest in Long Grove this weekend. Bigger names in the musical acts for one, and the chance to drive a Jeep through an action adventure course is another.

Organizers brought in a new group to help plan the annual affair, though the event is centered around the usual goals: showcasing businesses downtown and celebrating chocolate.

Kelley Happ, spokeswoman for the Long Grove Business and Community Partners, said Star Events was brought in because of its connections to musical acts and other entertainers. Many of the bands have become popular performing in Long Grove, but Star Events has brought in names like Slamabama and the Wes Jon Trio.

"We're always looking for ways to be more professional," she said. "It'll be a lot of the same family fun and lots of chocolate; we're just going to step it up."

Star Events was able to bring in Jeep, which will feature an action track at the Village Tavern parking lot. The company will bring in four trailers to showcase the latest technology and an adventure course, similar to the one at the Chicago Auto Show, which people can ride through in a Jeep.

The festival will include a chocolate demo tent on Mill Pond Drive where chefs and other vendors will offer demonstrations and samples.

"The children's activities will be all centered around Towner Green," Happ said. "It's a little more space to spread them out."

Most of the 70 shops in town will have something chocolate-themed going on, such as fresh strawberries being dipped in chocolate at the Long Grove Confectionery, chocolate lattes and other drinks at Beans & Leaves Cafe, brownie cookies at the Apple Haus and Hershey's ice cream flavors at Timmy's Sandwiches and Ice Cream.

"Rain or shine we're going to be there," Happ said. "It if dribbles a little bit, people can go inside the tent or inside the shops."

If you go

What: Long Grove Chocolate Fest

When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday

Where: Downtown Long Grove, at Old McHenry Road and Robert Parker Coffin Drive

Cost: Free

Call: (847) 634-0888 or visit longgroveonline.com