Death by Chocolate

Reaction to the first-ever Colorado Chocolate Festival has been so over-the-top that event organizer Dana Cain has already booked the Denver Merchandise Mart, 451 East 58th Avenue, through 2011. Starting tonight at 7 p.m. and continuing tomorrow at 10 a.m., the fest includes all things sweet and sinful for people...

By Mark Dragotta

May 8, 2008

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Reaction to the first-ever Colorado Chocolate Festival has been so over-the-top that event organizer Dana Cain has already booked the Denver Merchandise Mart, 451 East 58th Avenue, through 2011. Starting tonight at 7 p.m. and continuing tomorrow at 10 a.m., the fest includes all things sweet and sinful for people of all ages.

"Friday night is kind of like party night," explains Cain. "We've got the Denver Jazz Quartet playing all evening. And then Saturday is more like family day: The bar goes away, and in come the Bounce House and face painting." Events range from chocolate-and-wine pairings to no-hands pudding eating, chocolate martinis, chocolate vendors (with free samples!), a Chocolate Queen competition, live cooking demos, a state-fair-style "Fudge Off!" and presentations by special guests such as chocolate therapist Julie Pech.

Tickets are $10 on Friday and $5 on Saturday ($2 for kids twelve and under). For details, call 303-347-8252 or go to www.chocolate-festival.org.
Fri., May 9, 7-10 p.m.; Sat., May 10, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., 2008

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