“No one leaves short of chocolate,” said Julie Pech, self-titled chocolate therapist, of the Colorado Chocolate Festival.
This weekend’s third annual Colorado Chocolate Festival at the Denver Merchandise Mart hosts 20 more chocolate vendors than last year, for a total of 100. And most of them give free samples.
The event features two of the original Willy Wonka movie kids — Paris Themmen who played Mike Teavee, the precocious cowboy-loving kid who shrunk himself into the TV screen; and Denise Nickerson, who played Veruca Salt, the girl who turned into a blueberry — signing autographs each day.
On Saturday, vendors give out free chocolate all day, and gift vendors offer unique items for sale.
Last year, about 5,000 people took advantage of the delectable samples, according to organizer Dana Cain.
If you go
What: Colorado Chocolate Festival
When: 6-10 p.m. Friday, with wine tasting and judging of Chocolate Wedding Cake Competition;
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday
Where: Denver Merchandise Mart
Cost: $12 for Friday Gala; $7 on Saturday (or $3 for kids 5-12)
More info: www.chocolate-festival.org
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