Carrie Olson has perhaps the sweetest job in the regon.
After all, she’s the one charged with putting together the first Enumclaw Chocolate Festival, a two-day event that, appropriately, is planned for the weekend prior to Valentine’s Day.
The festival is planned for noon to 9 p.m. Feb. 6 and 7 in the Exhibit Hall at the Enumclaw Expo Center.
As expected, chocolate will be at the center of the festivities. A variety of vendors will be on hand, Olson said, to offer samples and sell their products.
Olson promises there will be plenty to keep visitors’ interest piqued. Businesses will be offering gifts for sale that might accompany a box of chocolates and food will be available for purchase.
And, taking advantage of the natural pairing of chocolate and wine, Olson has recruited Enumclaw’s Sip City Wines to host a “tasting garden.” At least 18 wineries will be participating, offering between four and six wines each. They will be providing one-ounce samples.
Live music will be provided from 6:30 to 8:30 each evening and a series of educational seminars is taking shape, Olson said.
Tickets are on sale at the Enumclaw Parks and Recreation Department, Enumclaw Chamber of Commerce and Sip City Wines; Sweet Decadence in Newcastle is also selling tickets. The cost is $8 for adults and $5 for those 6 to 17 years of age; kids 5 years old and younger will be admitted free. At the door, the cost for adults increases to $10.
For parents wishing to enjoy the festival by themselves, childcare will be available from 7 to 9 each evening. The cost for the babysitting service is $10. Parking will be free.
Information is available by visiting www.enumclawchocolatefestival.com.
Reach Kevin Hanson at khanson@courierherald.com.
SIDEBAR….SIDEBAR….SIDEBAR
The Chocolate Festival is just one in a series of new events planned for the Enumclaw Expo Center during the year to come.
While making long-range plans to convert the acreage to a top-notch equestrian facility, plans are in the works to add events that will attract visitors to the grounds.
“Our imagination is the only limit to what we can create,” said Larry Fetter, director of the city’s Parks and Recreation Department. “Enumclaw has an abundance of local talent that can be recruited to create new festivals, events, entertainment, art shows – you name it.”
While drawing visitors to the Expo Center, the addition of new events has a second goal – to help spur interest in downtown Enumclaw.
“We simply must attract tourism to Enumclaw and make downtown part of their visitor experience,” said Cathy Rigg, executive director of the local chamber of commerce.
Aside from the Enumclaw Chocolate Festival, plans are being made for an Oktober Fest on Oct. 9 and 10 and Christmas craft show on Nov. 20 through 22. Indoor golf and batting cages are slated for January.
Anyone with an idea for a festival or event is encouraged to contact Fetter at 360-302-0236 or larryfetter@ci.enumclaw.wa.us.
