Festival weekend draws nearer for choco-holics

Date published: 16 February 2011

The countdown is well under way for a weekend of chocolate heaven.

A feast of entertainment and tasty goodies has been organised for 16 and 17 April when the famous Ramsbottom Chocolate Festival takes over the town centre.

A highlight of the weekend will be a Chocolate Market on Bridge Street, featuring an array of goodies from award-winning chocolatiers.

There will be chocolate demonstrations on Market Place, and chocolate workshops in the Civic Hall and alfresco dining on Square Street,

Children will have lots to do, with entertainment in the Civic Hall on both days including face painting, a magician, balloon sculpting, craft activities, plus a stilt walker and festival mascot Charlie Chick.

Festival competitions will include the return of the Giant Easter Egg designs which local schools and nurseries will be taking part in.

The East Lancashire Railway will be running the Chocolate Express train on both Saturday and Sunday mornings to get you to the festival, and a chocolate themed diner on Sunday evening.

Paul Morris of the Chocolate Café, and member of Ramsbottom Business Group, said: "Building on the success of last year’s event we are really excited about this year and have some national leaders of the chocolate industry signed up to take part. The whole town gets involved with instore events and demonstrations. Ramsbottom is fast becoming the northern centre of chocolate in the UK and we are proud to host this popular and fun family friendly festival.”