Chocolate Lovers’ Expo

Calling all Chocoholics...Sunday, April 9, is the new date set for the 13th Annual Chocolate Lovers’ Expo to benefit Easter Seals. Postponed from its traditional February date due to the blizzard, this much-anticipated event will take place one week before Easter from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Connecticut Grand Hotel & Conference Center, 3580 East Main Street, Waterbury. The Expo will feature a wide variety of chocolate specialties, culinary surprises, edible masterpieces, goodies and unique gifts sure to please everyone on your Easter and Mother’s Day list.

Attendees will sample scrumptious treats from area bakeries, candy manufacturers, specialty shops, restaurants, and culinary chefs. Highlights include chocolate dipped strawberries, gooey chocolate cakes and cookies, caramel apples, melt-in-your-mouth brownies, Almond Joys and Hershey Kisses. Easter bunnies, flavored candies, unique gifts, flowers, and home entertainment ideas will be plentiful. While listening to the music of Deb Mar DJ’s, bid on edible masterpiece creations, gift baskets, participate in special drawings, or watch demonstrations by aspiring high school culinary students.

Advanced tickets are being offered at a special price of $15 for adults through exhibitors or by calling Edna Bruneau at (203)754-5141, ext. 251. If tickets are still available, the price at the door will be $20 for adults and $5 for children. Visit Easter Seals Website at www.eastersealswaterburyct.org.

Peter Paul, a division of Hershey Foods, is the event’s major sponsor. Supporting media sponsors include WATR Radio 1320 AM and WZBG Radio 97.3 FM. Proceeds benefit Easter Seals’ programs and services serving infants, children, and adults with special needs in greater Waterbury and northwestern Connecticut.

Some of the exhibitors expected at this year’s Expo are: Agnew Florist, Bristol Tech Culinary Art Students, CC’s Candy Company, Cake Heaven, Chocolate Rose Express, Collections by Traci Lynn, Cookies to “Di” For, Costco’s Wholesale, Center for Culinary Arts, Fruiticana Cream-Less Ice Cream, Guida’s, The Grotto & Mrs. G, Hometown Buffet, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Pampered Chef, Peter Paul Hershey, Razzleberries, Roller Magic, Say-it-Sweetly, sweet-maria’s, Tastefully Simple, and Taste of Home Entertainment. Exhibitors will be selling products at the event as well as offering samples.

Downtown Waterbury is beginning to flex its collective will in an all out effort to revitalize the city’s once beleaguered core. While many people in greater Waterbury remain skeptical about downtown’s effort to recreate itself, city planners from around the country have visited Waterbury in the past decade and have been astounded by the grandeur of the city’s buildings, statues and landmarks. Now with Main Street Waterbury, and the Palace Theater, things are indeed looking up. Photo by John Murray

Back