The annual celebration of music and chocolate chugs into Burlington this week, with this year’s theme “Chew Chew for ChocolateFest.”
Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the carnival opens Thursday, and the festival will run Friday through Monday.
Friday hours run from 4 p.m. to midnight, while the hours are 10 a.m. to midnight for Saturday and Sunday.
On Monday, Memorial Day, the festival runs from noon to 7 p.m. Tickets are $8 for adults with children 5-12 years $3. Pre-sale of tickets will take place through noon on Friday with adult tickets at $7 and children ages 5-12 at $2.50.
Those tickets are available on the website, at Burlington area stores and at Fox River State Bank. Friday’s entrance fee can also be paid with five non-perishable food items, as it is “Pack the Pantry” night for Love Inc.
Carnival ride band tickets are available for $25 on the grounds for Saturday and Sunday for two separate sessions – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. to close – while Monday’s session is from noon to close. A new ride band will be needed for each session.
On-grounds parking is available for $5 and a Chocolate Experience Taster Ticket can be purchased for $8.
Some of the attractions at the festival:
- Friday: ChocolateFest Fireworks at 9 p.m.; Battle of the Bands from 6 to 9:30 p.m. on the Wanasek Family Stage; Lunch Money Bullies, 6 p.m., main stage, and 9 p.m., Markstock – featuring Madfact – on the main stage; Chef Meltdown contest, 6 p.m., Chocolate Experience Tent.
- Saturday: 3 p.m., Live Band Karaoke “Chocolate City Idol,” Wanasek Family Stage; 4 p.m., Orange Crush, Burlington High School’s rock pep band, main stage; 8 p.m., The Love Monkeys, main stage.
- Sunday: 1 p.m., Big Al Wetzel Band, main stage; 5 p.m. Reverend Raven, main stage; 8 p.m., Bella Cain, main stage.
- Monday: Noon, The Britins, main stage; 3:30 p.m., Pat McCurdy, main stage.
Throughout the weekend, Granpa Cratchet will be around the grounds. A petting zoo and the All-American Lumberjack Show will also take place daily, as will chef demonstrations and chocolate eating contests.
See the entertainment page in this edition for more details or visit www.myracinecounty.com for a complete guide to the festival.
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