Willimantic lives up to its Romantic reputation this Valentine's Day as Lovers, Cupids, Friends and Families gather in our Historic Downtown District to indulge in Chocolate.
The Third Annual Romantic Willimantic Chocolate Festival has grown into a 2-day, event!
Friday, February 9th will feature 2 movies at the Capital Theater accompanied by a gourmet "Chocolate Affair" buffet. "Being There" is showing at 7:00, and "Like Water for Chocolate" shows at 9:00. Indulge before and after the shows in all things chocolate. The theater is handicapped accessible, so everyone can re-live those precious olden days of movies downtown. And the admission is only $5-an old-fashioned price!
Saturday morning, drop off your entry in the Chocolate Cake Baking Contest, then it's off to the movies again. This time, bring the younger generation downtown! "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" shows at 9:30 am. No one is allergic to that chocolate since admission is free. Willy and Friends from Windham Players will greet everyone at the opening ceremonies, where you'll also be introduced to the Cake Contest judges, hear from First Selectman Mike Paulhus, say your farewells to this years Cupids, Pam and Bob Horrocks, and say Happy Birthday to our Chocolate Fest baby, Aryanna Powell! Then it's time to feed those hungry children with grinders to support Arts at the Capitol Theater, free milk from Mountain Dairy, and enjoy free cake from "All this and Heaven, Too" for dessert.
Now that you have your strength back, shop, dine, sample, and enjoy over 40 unique downtown venues with your Valentine. Indulge in chocolates from around the world, in all shapes and forms: Chocolate cakes, fountains, fruits, fondue, soap, truffles and drinks...A Trail of Roses, music, t-shirts, ice sculpture, and a 100th Birthday Celebration for the famous Footbridge.
So enjoy lunch at a downtown restaurant with Romantic Music serenading you, then savor desserts all afternoon. What a perfect day to buy something special for your sweetheart at a downtown merchant!
The Romantic Willimantic Chocolate Festival is brought to you by an ad-hoc committee consisting of the Windham Area Arts Collaborative, the Windham/Willimantic Business Council, Arts at the Capitol Theater, the Willimantic Victorian Neighborhood Association, Willimantic Renaissance. Inc, The Mill Museum, the Willimantic Business, and the Windham Recreation Department.