Kent Chocolate Fest

If you're looking to satisfy your longing for all things chocolate, you will want to mark your calendar for this year's Kent Center School Valentine's Chocolate Fest, which will be held on Tuesday, February 12 from 3:15-6:15 p.m. (In case of snow, the event will be held on Wednesday, February 13.) "The growing popularity of this fundraising initiative makes it one of the most fun and eagerly anticipated events in town," said Committee Chairman and President of the Kent Center School Scholarship Fund, Hedy Kinney.

Bakers are needed to create all kinds of chocolate yummies, according to Maggie Kovacs, who manages the kitchen activities on the day of the event. Baked goods should be delivered to Kent Center School between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. on February 12. To make other arrangements or for more info, call Maggie Kovacs at 860-354-8201 during the day, or at 860-355-4973 in the evening. "We welcome past bakers and hope new ones will join us, too," said Mrs. Kovacs.

Volunteers are needed to help manage the Chocolate Fest. Different tasks which need to be performed include advanced ticket sales, working with retailers, helping with publicity, calling parents to enlist bakers, and calling people to work in the kitchen and to serve on the day of the event.

Ticket sales coordinator Carolyn Echols announced that advanced ticket sales will be held outside Kent's Davis IGA on Saturdays, February 2 and February 9 from 10 a.m.-noon; and outside the Kent Market on Sundays, February 3 and February 10 from 9 a.m.-noon.

Here's how the Chocolate Fest works: Lovers of chocolate pay $5 at the door or present a pre-purchased ticket to receive a plate that one can then fill with a sampling of scrumptious home-made goodies prepared by local bakers. In previous years, the tables have overflowed with mouth-watering chocolate delectables. Kent Center School students provide handmade centerpieces for the tables. Many 7th and 8th graders, who are potential scholarship recipients, volunteer their time at the Chocolate Fest. Local merchants and crafts people are on hand to sell seasonal gifts, as well. More than 30 volunteers make that event a special community effort.

All proceeds from the annual Valentine Chocolate Fest benefit the Kent Center School Scholarship Fund, which has awarded more than $460,000 in the past four decades to graduates of the local elementary school. A total of 530 awards have been made to deserving students attending post-secondary vocational and technical schools and four-year colleges since the fund was established in 1961. Last year's event raised over $3,500 and all moneys were used for scholarships. The scholarship fund is also supported by special bequests and annual contributions by hundreds of Kent residents and businesses.

For more info about the Valentine Chocolate Fest or the Kent Center School Scholarship Fund, call Hedy Kinney at 860-927-1040 (days), or 860-927-3413 (evenings).