The Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Development Group (CDG) today announced the 8th Annual Mount Vernon Chocolate Stroll will take place Saturday, June 3, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The music and chocolate event invites guests to stroll down Mount Vernon’s historic First Street where participating businesses and chocolate vendors will offer chocolate and chocolate products for sample and/or sale.
“Mount Vernon is home to several chocolatiers and this event celebrates all of them,” said Chocolate Stroll Committee Chair Sherene Player. “This year’s event will include such specialties as raw chocolate, chocolate raspberry scones, chocolate cake pops, chocolate-covered coffee beans, as well as the more traditional chocolate truffles, cupcakes, shortbreads and caramels.”
Returning this year will be the annual “Make It With Chocolate” Baking Contest open to the public. Bakers are asked to bring their favorite chocolate creation and an entry form to City Hall, 213 1st St. NW, between 10 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., on the day of the event (winners will be announced at 11:30 a.m.). This year’s contest will be divided into two categories: Adult (18 years and older), and Student (17 years and younger).
Applications for the “Make It With Chocolate” Baking Contest are available through the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Development Group’s Web site at visitmvl.com.
Music this year will begin at 10 a.m. at the First Street Community Center, 221 First St. NE, Mount Vernon. Music highlights will include the Eastern Iowa Brass Band at 10 a.m., the Mount Vernon Middle School Band at 11 a.m.; the Itty Bitty Band at noon. Casey O’Connor at 1 p.m., Emily and Dale Beeks at 2 p.m., and James Kennedy and Friends at 3 p.m.
Kid’s games and face painting will take place at Memorial Park from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.; and again from 12:30 to 4 p.m. The event will include activities such as M&M Bingo and spoon races throughout the day, and a balloon artist from 1 to 3 p.m. Families also can enjoy children’s music group Balderdash Ditty at the Memorial Park Gazebo from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Volunteers are still needed for the event. To sign up, log on to http://signup.com/go/CLpYRMC
If you have never been to Chocolate Stroll, check out this feature created by IPTV, which originally appeared on the TV Show “The Iowa Ingredient”:
The Chocolate Baking Contest will take place again this year. Find the contest applications here:
About the Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Development Group
The Mount Vernon-Lisbon Community Development Group exists to improve the social and economic well-being of Mount Vernon and Lisbon by capitalizing on their unique identity, assets and character. Mount Vernon was selected as a Main Street community in 2008, and practices economic development within the context of historic preservation.
About Main Street
The Main Street Approach is a copyrighted process of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The Program has been used in Iowa since 1986 with a total of 56 communities having participated. Mount Vernon was selected as a Main Street community on March 4, 2008 by the State of Iowa, after submitting a comprehensive application and presenting to a select board of reviewers.
About Mount Vernon
Historic Mount Vernon, Iowa, is home to 4500 residents, including 1200 college students enrolled at Cornell College. Located in Eastern Iowa at the intersection of Highways 30 and 1, 20 miles north of Iowa City and 15 miles east of Cedar Rapids, it boasts a vibrant uptown business community with numerous antique and specialty stores, restaurants, coffee houses, commercial art galleries, and three National Historic Districts.
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