The Chocolate Festival is the major annual fundraiser for Faith and Friends, typically generating $8,000 per year. Sixty chocolatiers and arts and crafts vendors will be on hand. The highlights will include:
Chocolate-covered bacon
“Every year, there’s an unusual item,” said Bill Nance, co-founder of Faith and Friends. One year, we had chocolate-covered jalapenos. Another year, we had chocolate-colored crickets. It seems a lot of people will experiment as long as chocolate is involved.”
Hand-painted chocolate
“There will be individual pieces of chocolate that are hand-decorated,” said Melody Morris, co-founder of Faith and Friends. “They’re as much works of art as chocolate. You almost hate to eat them.”
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A variety of fudge and limitless doughnuts
While the wide variety of fudge (walnut, peanut butter, chocolate mint, pecan chocolate, white chocolate) will be diverse enough, a new vendor, District 6 Donuts, will ensure there are no limits at all on the donut supply.
“District 6 is a shop in Oakwood that makes custom-made doughnuts,” Morris said. “They will make them to order onsite at the festival.”
Chocolate recipe contest
Every year, people enter the chocolate recipe contest with chocolate ice cream pies, cheesecakes, cookies, fudges, truffles and others. Entrants are judged on taste, appearance, creativity and presentation. Local celebrities and personalities will judge the contest. However, Morris encourages entrants not to favor one category, such as taste, over the other.
“One woman edged out a win because she happened to bring her chocolate in unique decorative boxes,” she said.
The festival will also include a live variety radio show, live entertainment, door prizes and a kids’ corner.
WANT TO GO?
What: Chocolate Festival: Lights Camera Chocolate
Where: Montgomery County Fairgrounds Coliseum, 1043 S. Main St., Dayton
When: Oct. 7, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Cost: No admission cost
More Info: 937-23-FAITH or www.faithandfriendsradio.com
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