{"id":1178,"date":"2014-02-14T08:00:51","date_gmt":"2014-02-14T08:00:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/indogomagazine.com\/indogo\/?p=1178"},"modified":"2014-02-20T18:06:00","modified_gmt":"2014-02-20T18:06:00","slug":"chocolate-festival","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/indogomagazine.com\/indogo\/chocolate-festival\/","title":{"rendered":"Chocolate Festival"},"content":{"rendered":"

Love for Chocolate Brings Community Together<\/p>\n

Valentine’s Day is celebrated in many countries on February 14 each year. Lovers express their love for each other by exchanging flowers, cards, and especially – chocolates. According to industry statistics, in the U.S. alone, about 27 million kilograms (60 million pounds) of chocolate candy, worth about $350 million are sold during Valentine\u2019s week. As Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, chocolate themed events also attract people.<\/p>\n

\"Chocolate<\/a><\/p>\n

From fountains and colorful pastries – to candies – cupcakes – and ice cream, everything at the Chocolate Lovers Festival in Old Town Fairfax, Virginia is made of chocolate.<\/p>\n

Children and adults alike indulged in chocolate overload.<\/p>\n

The two-day festival, held on a weekend before Valentine\u2019s Day, is in its 21st year. Leslie Herman is the chair of the event.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery year it gets larger. It doesn\u2019t matter what the weather is unless it is huge snow storm you can\u2019t drive in it. But folks come out in rain, snow, cold. Usually we have an attendance of about 10,000 people,” said Harman.<\/p>\n

Many visitors start their chocolate day with a chocolate chip pancake breakfast, served by volunteers. In the chocolate tasting area, about 40 local vendors showcase their products.<\/p>\n