Scaled-down Long Grove chocolate festival still offers sweet surprises
Organizers of For the Love of Chocolate - Long Grove's Bite-Size Celebration have announced new details on several key attractions at the festival, which takes place May 14-16.
While historic downtown Long Grove may be hosting a smaller-scale chocolate event this year in compliance with COVID health and safety guidelines, in no way is it skimping on the chocolate treats, activities, and entertainment.
Advance registration and tickets, which are mandatory, are available now through longgrove.org/festivals/for-the-love-of-chocolate.
Chocolate preview party
The homage to the almighty cocoa bean kicks off with a VIP Chocolate Preview Party sponsored by The Gents Place - Deer Park from 5-7 p.m. Friday, May 14.
This separately ticketed event will give a limited number of ticketholders a sampling of the weekend festivities. They'll be the first to preview Chocolate Row, the Chocolate Experience, Chocolate Expo Tents, and more.
Each ticket includes a chocolate swag bag, commemorative T-shirt, private mini concert by crooner Tony Ocean, and other chocolate surprises.
Chocolate Expo Tent, Chocolate Experience, and kids' activities
Over the weekend, For the Love of Chocolate swings into full cocoa crazy mode.
Inside the Chocolate Experience Tent, ticketholders can engage in a "sensorium of chocolate" and do things like watch an artist hand carve a chocolate masterpiece (including a sculpture of Frank Sinatra at the VIP Preview Night while Tony Ocean performs) from chocolate acquired by the Long Grove Confectionary, in partnership with the Historic Downtown Long Grove Business Association, or get sticky fingers from freshly-spun chocolate cotton candy, courtesy of Ma and Pa's Candy.
Over at the Chocolate Expo Tent, things truly get immersive with chocolate-themed seminars and sessions. Some of the weekend sessions include "Chocolate for your Soul," morning yoga to prep the mind, body, and soul for a day of chocolate eating; "Indulge Yourself in Beauty," beauty tips and demonstrations on a model to learn fun, new techniques with chocolate colors; "Wellness with Roxie and the Health Benefits of Chocolate," healthy chocolate cooking recipes; "The Love Story of Chocolate and Wine," chocolate and wine pairings; "Booze & Cakes," where alcoholic beverages and cupcakes come together; "Chocolate Massages and Facials"; "The Ultimate Vegan Chocolate Cheesecake Extravaganza"; "Cocktails and Chocolate," and more.
A dedicated kids' area at For the Love of Chocolate will feature pony rides, nine holes of miniature golf, camera/selfie photo ops in wonky chocolate themes, and face painting, to name a few.
Chocolate Row
Meanwhile, some of the most innovative chocolate cuisine - foods everyone loves made with or dipped in chocolate - will be sold on Chocolate Row.
Vendors who line Robert Parker Coffin Road (closed to traffic) will be limited to chocolate-related businesses only, with social distancing enforced between tents. Some of the notable vendors include: Morkes Chocolates of Long Grove/Broken Bridge Treats serving up chocolate and apple spice doughnuts and chocolate-covered strawberries; The Pink Cupcake Creations, serving up chocolate cupcakes, cake pops, cocoa bombs, and Oreo truffles; Salt of the Earth, offering chocolate scented candles and chocolate facial scrubs; St. Roger Abbey, serving up organic chocolate croissants, chocolate almond croissants, chocolate tartlets, chocolate éclairs, and macaroons; Ultimate Confections, serving up hand-dipped fine chocolates; Wishing Well Mini Donuts, serving up mini doughnuts with chocolate icings and toppings; and Zacarelli's with their famous chocolate-covered funnel cakes.
Entertainment and live music
To complement the chocolate bonanza, For the Love of Chocolate will host multiple stages of live entertainment and music sprinkled throughout the historic town.
The weekend family entertainment lineup (check the website for the full schedule) features magicians, balloon artists, acoustic artists, and more.
The live music at For the Love of Chocolate leaves nothing to the imagination, with several different genres and dance DJs setting the good vibes. The weekend music lineup includes Hello Dave, Tony Ocean, Burnt Biscuits, Split Hook Band, John Ludy, Grant Milliren Duo, Matt Ray, Aimee Gwen Music, Big Al Wetzel Band, Bill Serritella's Sounds of Vegas with Sonja Hicks, Ken Kuhn Solo Acoustic, Low-reen and Jim Harpdog Hellen, and James and Friends.
Historic Downtown Long Grove is known for its array of independent, family-owned and operated restaurants and stores. For the Love of Chocolate - Long Grove's Bite-Size Celebration also marks the official opening of the spring shopping season in town, with village merchants featuring their own decadent, chocolate-themed specialties throughout the event weekend.
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For the Love of Chocolate - Long Grove's Bite-Size Celebration
When: 5-7 p.m. Friday, May 14; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, May 15, and Sunday, May 16
Where: Historic Downtown Long Grove, 308 Old McHenry Road
Parking: Limited free parking in all public lots in downtown Long Grove; ride sharing is encouraged
COVID-19 measures:
• less people than a typical "fest in Long Grove"
• required mask-wearing
• social distancing
• seated experiences and time limits for ticketed access
• advance, online registration is required to attend
Details, tickets and schedule: longgrove.org/festivals/for-the-love-of-chocolate