In addition to top entertainment on four stages (including headliners the Eddie Butts Band, The Toys, The Love Monkeys, Pat McCurdy, The Legends, and Stukenberg), the first carnival of the season, a grand fireworks display, and a Memorial Day parade, there will plenty to get chocoholics collectively singing, "Yo, ho, ho." Not only will there be opportunities to eat that delectable treat, but also to wear it, create works of art with it, pair it sophisticatedly with fine wine, and literally, get your hands full of it. Among the new events this year are: Project Yum-Way, a candy-wrapper fashion design contest inspired by Bravo's hit series Project Runway; Chocolate Indulgence, an evening of wine and chocolate tasting; a children's parade and a geocache treasure hunt. "We have events for all ages and more chocolate than ever," Chocolate Experience chair Caryn Bird said. "Many of the chocolate events are centered around this year's ‘Pirates of the Chocolate Be'an' theme."

Tickets for the festival are $7 for adults ($6 in advance), $6 for seniors, and $3 for children ages 5-12. Children under age five are free. The Cruncher Ticket, that includes admission, unlimited rides and parking, is $25 in advance, available at Burlington grocery stores and local schools until Friday, May 23. For ticket information visit our website through the link above. Also, back by popular demand, is the $2 Chocolate Chip Taster Ticket, redeemable for chocolate samples from premier chocolate vendors under the Chocolate Experience tent. The ticket also serves as entry into daily drawings and a grand prize 32" Flat Screen HD TV donated by Nestle'.