Food Event Review: The Lewisburg Chocolate Festival's Tastings on Saturday (Lewisburg, WV in early April)

Overall                          * * * * *
Flavor                           * * * * *
Uniqueness                   * * * * *
Price                             $ ($10 or less per person depending on what you get)
Comfort/Convenience  * * * * - 

For at least three years I saw signs for the Chocolate Festival too late to go (shift work, what a pain!)  So when I finally got the chance to go, I was ready to take it Seriously.  I booked my tickets online in advance (I highly recommend this: they do run out and you'll be one of the people standing at town hall begging for tickets), planned the most efficient route between venues, and worked out when to get there.

What I didn't work out that first year was that they run out of samples.  If you're going with any specific dessert in mind at all, make sure to come right when they start handing out samples at 11am on Saturday.

So here's what you're looking at: about 20-30 venues (shops, art galleries, restaurants, and The General Lee) each offering one or two little tastings of something chocolate for the price of a ticket that you buy in advance.  1 ticket=1 dollar, so not a bad cost comparison at all.

Some of the desserts I've seen the two times I've been: chocolate martinis, chocolate mousse cake with a chocolate covered strawberry, top your own chocolate mousse, ice cream, chocolate salsa, truffles from three different places, chocolate face painting, and chocolate cups with moscato.  It's not just for kids by a long shot!

The stores you get the samples from are great to wander through, too, so take the time to roam after you've had your fill (and you will get there, believe it or not)

Live music, musicians, and exhibits are also on offer, and usually some movies as well.  Check out the pamphlet they hand you with your tickets to find out what's going on and who has what. (While the website tells you about who has tastes of what in advance, it isn't always right.  Going with what's on your pamphlet is more accurate!)

Parking all over town is free, though the earlier you get there, the easier it is to find close to downtown.  A map is handily provided on the Chocolate Festival website to help you find your way (Also shows the bathrooms!)

For those of us coming from the "Big City", keep in mind that Charleston is about two hours away.  Get out of town about 9am to get to Lewisburg by 11 and know that you'll hit traffic as soon as you hit town.

Word to the wise: If you want to stay the night so you don't have to drive down, book early!  It's hard to get a room close to the date. (Though sites like AirBnB tend to have better luck)