By Jennifer Eisenbart
Editor
While the final numbers may not have been in for the 2015 version of ChocolateFest, the impression Mayor Bob Miller had Wednesday evening was positive.
“I’m hearing they went well,” Miller said.
While attendance was not available by press deadline, Miller got his own personal indicator while emceeing a cooking event over the weekend.
When he asked how many people were new to ChocolateFest, a large majority of the 60-plus people in the crowd raised their hands.
“I bet a good 50 hands went up,” Miller said. “That was a good sign for me.”
ChocolateFest’s Bil Scherrer said Thursday that the festival “did OK.”
“Last year was a banner year, so you really cannot use that as a benchmark,” Scherrer explained. While the 2014 Chocolatefest drew close to 37,000 people, this year there were just 31,244.
The festival got a cool opening night Friday, with temperatures in the 50s and 60s, but the grounds were fairly full because of the evening’s fireworks.
On Saturday, warm, sunny weather packed the grounds. But rain on Sunday – and again Monday morning – most likely impacted the final numbers.
“I’m sure the weather did to a certain extent,” Miller said. “I’m sure Sunday hurt, but I don’t know how badly.”
Scherrer said the rain cut into the crowds Sunday, but Bella Cain drew a large crowd for the mainstage which helped out in the end.
The annual festival featured dozens of vendors – chocolate and otherwise – throughout the four days. While May weather has been unpredictable – thunderstorms were in the forecast for both Sunday and Monday – the only real issue was rain.
On and off showers and a lengthy downpour cut into the crowd Sunday. It rained consistently throughout the Memorial Day parade Monday, but then cleared for the afternoon.
“The Chocolate Experience Tent does well no matter what the weather,” Scherrer said, adding that people turned out regardless of the weather Monday.
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