PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 6, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- A perfect treat to sweeten up your winter! The Chocolate Festival will take place on Saturday, February 5 and Sunday, February 6, 2005 from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Blue Cross RiverRink on Festival Pier at Penn's Landing, Columbus Boulevard and Spring Garden Street.
The sweet smell of chocolate will fill the air as candy connoisseurs from all over the Philadelphia area participate in this one-of-a-kind event. The Chocolate Festival will offer unique chocolate cooking demonstrations at 2 pm and 3:45 pm each day. Kids will have a chance to take part in cupcake eating contests and chocolate chip mini-muffin eating contests and win great chocolate prizes!
Visitors will also have the chance to sample chocolate treats. Lehigh Valley Dairy will be on hand with samples of their chocolate milk and Turkey Hill will be offering samples of chocolate ice cream. Of course, there will be free chocolate kisses and candies for everyone to enjoy.
Just in time for Valentine's Day there will be chocolate kiss cards, where visitors can "paint" their lips with chocolate, kiss Valentine's cards and write special messages to their loved ones! There will also be special edible chocolate make and take crafts like chocolate dipping spoons where participants can dip into various flavors such as mint, orange, vanilla and cherry. Free face painting, a balloon artist and free caricatures will add to the excitement and offer something for everyone! Q102 will be on-hand with games and prizes on Saturday and Sunny 104.5 will continue the fun on Sunday.
Reels at the Rink continues this weekend with screenings of two chocolate-themed favorites on the large video wall inside the heated pavilion. Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory will run from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. and Chocolat will run from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. each day of the festival.
Chocolate Festival activities are free to the public. Weekend skating sessions cost $6.00 per person (skate rental is $3.00) and are available during the Chocolate Festival from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. and from 3:00 to 5:30 p.m.
Public Skating Sessions are as follows: Mondays through Thursdays from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.; Fridays from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., and 8:30 to 10:30 p.m.; Saturdays from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., 3:00 to 5:30 p.m., 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., and 8:30 to 10:30 p.m.; Sundays from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., 3:00 to 5:30 p.m., and 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Skate to a live DJ every Friday and Saturday Night from 9 p.m. to 12 midnight with a late-night skating session from 11 p.m. until 1 a.m.
Independence Blue Cross is the title sponsor of the Blue Cross RiverRink. Other sponsors include: PNC Bank, NBC 10, Metro Philadelphia, and the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation.
The Blue Cross RiverRink is located on Festival Pier at Penn's Landing, Columbus Boulevard and Spring Garden Street. For more information on the Chocolate Festival, skating times, lessons, birthday parties or private sessions, please call 215.925.RINK or visit www.riverrink.com.
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The Blue Cross RiverRink logo is available at: http://media.primezone.com/prs/single/?pkgid=354