Chocolate lovers can rejoice as the Romantic Willimantic Chocolate Festival returns for its fourth annual installment Valentine’s Day weekend. The first festival began in 2005 as a grassroots community event organized after the success of the popular 3rd Thursday Streetfests during the summer months in Willimantic.
Thursday, February 14
Valentine’s Day marks the start of the four-day event with the 26th Romantic Willimantic Cupid Crowning at Windham Town Hall at 10 am. Each year since 1982, on Valentine’s Day, a local civic leader or citizen is crowned as Willimantic’s “Cupid” for his or her contributions to the city. Past cupids have included WILI 1400 radio personality Wayne Norman, and current Windham First Selectwoman, Jean de Smet.
On Valentine’s eve, seven galleries in downtown will open their doors for a Downtown Art Stroll from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM. Participating galleries include:
Whispering River Gallery, 750 Main Street. The most recent gallery to open in the downtown area. This cooperative gallery features a group exhibit of local artists. Pieces on display and for sale range from oil painting, photography, sculpture, and woodturnings.
Capitol Theater Gallery, 896 Main Street. The gallery at the Capitol Theater hosts "The Picture Show", a group exhibits photographic work by UCONN Fine Arts Undergraduates.
WindhamARTS Collaborative: Main Gallery, 866 Main Street. Opening reception for Alaska: Culture and Art. This exhibit features the work of Gina Prewitt and will include Alaskan headdresses and detailed beadwork.
Kerri Quirk Studio: 824 Main Street, 2nd Floor. Artists Kerri Quirk and Tom Menard exhibit their folk artistry.
Swift Waters Artisans’ Cooperative, 750 Main Street. A charming artists cooperative featuring handcrafted products and artwork from over 30 artists.
ArtSpace Windham, 480 Main Street. “50/50.” This exhibit contains 50 digital images made by 50 artists from Eastern and Western Connecticut. All the artists began with the same initial image.
The Lily Pad, 34 North St. Lily Pad Allstars. Group show featuring work by Lily Pad art supply store employees.
Friday, February 15
On Friday, February 15 the Capitol Theater will host the second annual "A Chocolate Lover’s Affair" and "Romantic Broadway." The Affair runs from 6:00 until 8:00 PM where guests will be invited to indulge in a grand buffet of cheeses, handmade and imported chocolates, fudges, Venetians, Baumkichens, hand dipped fresh and dried fruits, cheesecakes and more. An Italian Barista will serve gourmet specialty coffees, espressos, and cappuccinos. Live music will feature performances by Flamenco and Classical guitarists. A silent auction will include specialty made cakes donated by local bakers. Following the Affair, at 8:00 PM guests will enjoy Romantic Broadway in the main stage theater performed by the area's most talented artists. Romantic Broadway will feature a live musical revue with selections from some of Broadway’s most memorable and loveable shows.
Tickets for both "A Chocolate Lovers Affair" and "Romantic Broadway" are $15.00 per person or $25.00 per couple, and can be purchased by calling the WindhamARTS Collaborative at 860-450-1794 or visiting the Capitol Theater box office the night of the event.
Saturday, February 16
On Saturday, Willimantic gets romantic in full force with an entire day of events throughout the downtown area. From 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Businesses will open their doors with free samples, menu specials, and activities for the public. Festival goers can vote for the best romantically themed, unique, and creative window display in participating businesses. Throughout the day, festival goers can catch a ride from Main and High or Main and Jillson Square (near Church St.) to enjoy a Ford Model T’s ride courtesy of the Four Seasons Model T Club. There will be ice-sculpting demonstrations on the sidewalk and a chocolate cake-baking contest. Celebrate the Co-Op's 28th birthday with a 28 cake salute! It'll be a tasty day, to be sure.
Aside from Saturday’s festivities, the event also marks one of the first occasions in which the many Hispanic owned businesses in downtown are opening their doors to participate in the citywide event. Ruth Hartunian-Alumbaugh, volunteer chair of the Chocolate Festival, combined forces this year with local Hispanic businesswoman, Ana Laura Giro and George Hernandez at SAMA to gain more Hispanic participation and cross cultural barriers. These connections have been key to the success of the upcoming event! Alumbaugh states, "This will truly be a taste of our town through ethnic partnerships and collaboration. Local businesses will also participate in the first ever window decorating contest and the public will vote on their favorites. And some of the literature has been translated into Spanish which will help us embrace more of the citizen population in our town.”
From 4:30 to 7 you can enjoy a home cooked meal at First Congregational Church, 199 Valley Street. Adults are $9 and Children are $5. Dessert? Chocolate, of course! There will be an ample assortment in case you are satiated with chocolate from the events of the day, too.
And from 7-10:30 you can let your creative juices flow at the Swift Waters Artisan's Coop at 750 Main St. during their Open Mic Night. $5 gets you munchies, makes a donation to the Coop, and gives you a chance to participate or enjoy talent from the area. This includes the Young Poets of Windham High School, too! Store will be open for even more shopping.
Sunday, February 17
As the Valentine's weekend comes to a close, the Willimantic Orchestra promises to conclude the 2008 Chocolate Festival on a lovely note when they present their annual Romantic Willimantic concert in Shafer Hall at Eastern Connecticut State University at 3:00 pm. Selections will include J. Strauss’, Kiss Waltzes; Ravel, Piano Concerto in G; Hanson,Symphony #2 "Romantic"; Rossini, La Gazza Ladra. The concert is free however donations will be welcomed. Shafer Hall is located at 83 Windham Street in Willimantic.
For more information go to: www.romanticwillimantic.com
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