The Bedford Downtown Alliance will once again offer the opportunity to indulge in the sweeter side of life by inviting participants to its third annual Chocolate Walk. The celebration will take place on Saturday, Feb. 20, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and will allow those attending to choose different COVID-responsible options for their enjoyment.
This will be the third year the Downtown Alliance has held this event — its biggest fundraiser of the year. Cathy Chaich, who is president of the 501(c)3 non-profit organization, said that despite the pandemic, they still wanted to find a way to stage the event. She said the organizers had to “think outside the box” in order to make sure that the walk would not only be a fun — but also safe — day for all. Chaich said more than 30 downtown businesses are involved with the event this year.
The Chocolate Walk will allow participants a variety of ways to join in the fun, one of which is to not “walk” at all. A “drive through” will be set up by the Train Depot behind the Historic Bedford Square that will allow attenders to pick up goodies while staying within their vehicles, depending on the type of tickets they have purchased. At this point, ticket holders could drive away and enjoy their chocolate and other goodies on their own, or they can park their vehicle and participate in other activities. Mask usage will be required as well as safe social-distancing.
There are three choices of tickets that can be purchased in different combinations. The first ticket is the General Admission Ticket for $20. Under non-COVID conditions, this ticket would have allowed a participant the opportunity to peruse downtown establishments, and gather chocolate treats at those different businesses. This year, all of the chocolate from the different participating businesses will be gathered together in a box for a convenient drive-through pickup. But that’s not all, a general admission ticket also provides for a coupon booklet for special deals and savings at downtown stores, along with a program featuring all of the participating Chocolate Walk businesses. The ticket can also be redeemed at Sirna’s Cafe´ for a glass of wine and at DePompei’s Broadway Gardens for chocolate shot. The admission even provides for a token redeemable at the Tavern Off Broadway for a buy-one-get-one-free drink.
Two additional ticket options include the $20 Wine Pull Ticket and the $10 Mystery Gift Card Punch Board Ticket. The Wine Pull Ticket allows each participant the opportunity to pick a wine bag containing a mystery bottle of wine or spirits, again using the drive-though process. One of the bottle choice possibilities will be a limited release Mount Gay’s 1703 Master Select Barbados Rum, valued at around $300, according to Chaich.
If participants choose the Mystery Gift Card ticket, they will be given the chance to pick a gift card that will be at least valued at $10, but could be for much more. If attenders choose to buy all three tickets or the “trifecta,” they will be entered into a special drawing for a Fuji Comfort Cruiser Cape May bicycle donated by The Broadway Cyclery.
While the drive-though options allow those people to participate who do not feel comfortable walking about town, the hope is that a number of participants visit local businesses for different specials and socially distanced activities. One of those free activities is the Chocolate Walk hat decoration contest at Sirna’s Cafe at 2:30 p.m. Attenders are encouraged to fashion a chocolate/candy-themed hat to win prizes. “Oompa Loompas” will be judging the hats, and the contest will take place outside and will be socially distanced. Sirna’s will also be having food specials throughout the day.
Salcity Dance Studio will be holding free carnival-type games at their studio from 12-3 p.m. The games will be spaced out in a way to keep those playing at a safe distance from each other. Many of the businesses downtown also will be open for visits and will have specials, with masks wearing and social distancing required. A Surprise Shopper will be out and about to randomly award gifts to those Chocolate Walk participants shopping downtown from 12-3 p.m.
According to its website, the Bedford Downtown Alliance has the mission to help revitalize and sustain historic Downtown Bedford. Along with the Chocolate Walks, the group has been involved with the First Friday parties, Small Business Saturdays, and the Underground Railroad mural unveiled this year, among other ventures.
As part of that mission, the Downtown Alliance has a goal to familiarize others with the businesses that are located downtown. Chaich said that some people visit downtown and find there is a new business that they had never seen before. She said that Bedford’s downtown is a “hidden gem” and that connecting the community to downtown helps to revitalize the historic area.
“We should be proud of our downtown,” she said.
According to the website, the organization is working towards the designation of a “Main Street City” in Ohio. In order to gain that title, there are a variety of benchmarks the organization must reach. The Downtown Alliance is working as an affiliate with a group called Heritage Ohio to achieve those goals.
If you would like to volunteer to help with this mission, you can visit the website to volunteer or become of member.
Tickets for the Chocolate Walk can be purchased here. The event will take place regardless of weather, and tickets are not refundable. The Chocolate Walk event itself is designated only for those 21 years or older, but anyone can come down and experience the free activities or visit the businesses as usual.
