Paper wrappers and plastic cups filled with chocolate treats lined the trays of downtown Jonesborough businesses on Saturday for the 5th annual Chocolate Festival.
For the festival, guests were invited to purchase tickets in order to exchange a ticket for chocolate from each business. Shops offered desserts such as tiramisu, Oreo truffles, cupcakes, chocolate-covered gummies and Swedish chocolate balls. The festival is a chance for guests to enjoy some chocolate while also getting a taste of the downtown community.
“I enjoy being a part of the Chocolate Festival because I get to see the community,” said Charlene Cleveland, a volunteer docent at the Chester Inn. “We get to enjoy chocolate. I enjoy working in the museum and showing people the history of our town.”
Even snow could not halt the throngs of chocolate enthusiasts from enjoying the afternoon.
“I am surprised by the number of people I have seen here today,” Anthony Bishop, owner of C & L Chandlers, said. “I did not think there would be that many people.”
Although some of the businesses have been a part of the festival since its start, some newer ones have found their way into the line-up and are thankful to be a part of it. This includes the Crystal Raven, which will celebrate its first year of business in May.
“This is our first [Chocolate Festival,] and it is great,” said shop owner Jerome Bowers. “The Jonesborough Area Merchants & Service Association is really good about bringing people in doing events like this. I greatly appreciate events like this. Just as a business, you need people to know you are here and participating.”
Beyond the chocolate tasting, participants were invited to vote on which place had the best sweets. Children could grab some popcorn from The Lollipop Shop or roast marshmallows and construct a s’more.
Shop owners and workers agreed that the Chocolate Festival promotes business and community within the area during a period of less traffic during the season.
“It brings a lot of people into our shop that do not typically shop downtown,” said Melinda Copp, Mill Spring Maker’s Marker owner. “It really introduces them to what each of the shops have to offer.”
