×

Ripley to host West Virginia Chocolate Festival

RIPLEY — The 12th annual West Virginia Chocolate Festival on Saturday will feature 248 feet of chocolate-related vendors at Epworth United Methodist Church in Ripley.

This is the largest event in the 12-year history of the celebration, according to Ripley Mayor Carolyn Rader.

“We are basically sold out of space,” she said. “There will be 31 8-foot vendor tables filled with everything from chocolate Easter eggs and fudge to chocolate-covered bacon and healthy chocolate snacks.”

Among the day’s activities will be a 10 a.m. parade beginning near Ripley Middle School and proceeding to the area around the Jackson County Courthouse. The festival also opens at 10 a.m. in the Fellowship Center of Epworth UMC at the corner of North Church and North streets.

Festival hours continue until 2 p.m. with entertainment by the Ripley High Choir at 11 a.m., the Riverside Cloggers at 11:30 a.m. and a balloon twister.

World-famous cartoonist Charles Schultz is portrayed in a 12:30 p.m. presentation through the West Virginia Humanities Council’s History Alive! Schultz created the ever-popular “Peanuts” gang of Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Linus and friends. The cartoonist, who died in 2000, is portrayed by James Froemel of Morgantown.

Other activities in the Ripley community on April 13 include the Mountain State Kayak Anglers fishing tournament in the lakes of Jackson County.

The fifth annual Minicon is hosted by the Jackson County Public Library will be 3-8 p.m. This event features games, crafts, costumes, and more. The library is directly across North Church Street from the chocolate festival.

Glenville State College’s Bluegrass Band returns to Ripley for a free 7 p.m. concert in the historic Alpine Theatre, 210 W. Main St.

For information on these events, contact the Ripley Convention and Visitors Bureau at 304-514-2609 or VisitRipleyWV.com.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today