The Journal Times Online - Racine, Wisconsin

You didn't know that? SURPRISE! :-(
I think the planners could learn a thing or two from the Food Network-- they always showcase food themed festivals that look so cool. You could have a lot of fun with a chocolate themed festival, but none of the Chocoalte Fest planners ever does anything with it. Ohwell-- it's quite the $$ pit, isn't it?

p.s. the music stages were cool, I listened on the local HS radio station, WBSD (89.1, you can listen online as well, it's better than even the Madison radio stations for diversity of music). My dd's (former) music teacher's groups were playing, tons of excellent bands comprised of talented kids from 10 and up (and some brave adults!). We'll be re-enrolling her now that she's back in public school, and be plunking down our $$ next year at Chocolate Fest-- at least then it'll be worth it, even if there is still no chocolate:-)

I went with my family also for the very first time and I agree, what a HUGE disappointment! We took the kids and got stuck at the rides for most of the time. How sad that the rides were the focus and not chocolate like we thought. I guess we did not do enough research... Can't say that we will go back again next year!!

This was my first experience at Choco Fest. I didn't attend as a chocolate lover (because I'm not), but rather as a volunteer at one of the "vendor" booths although we weren't selling anything - we represented a community-based group. The paperwork required to sign up as a volunteer was ridiculous. I can understand screening people to ensure no sex offenders are working, but c'mon folks, the booths are side-by-side in a tent with people all around. How the heck would a predator pull off a sleezy attack in that atmosphere? This was clearly overkill. (Incidentally, were the midway workers all subjected to this scrutiny?) In addition to being screened for sexual offenders, we had to agree to allow them to check the state records. Did they want to disallow those who might have filed bankruptcy or had law suits or filed for divorce? The rules governing the badging process appeared to be more of an attempt to discourage participation rather than an invitation to come and serve your community and there was no enticement to "join the fun". (Another aside - we had paid $360 to have a booth there - doesn't that make us CUSTOMERS of the fest?) The requirements governing the badging process were distributed via written instructions - which contained conflicting deadline dates - and was very poorly worded. Then, after all these MUST DO'S, and threats of what would happen should anyone be found working the booth (or even appear to be working the booth) without a badge -say a friend comes by and you are alone and need a port-a-potty break- there was practically a threat of severe penalty. All this only to find when any of us volunteers arrived at the fest the darn badging office was closed! We never did get a badge. I will never attend or volunteer at Choco Fest again. After totalling what it cost me between admission, parking, and gas to serve as a volunteer and be treated in this manner is a clear indication that the group overseeing this activity is drunk with power and more interested in exerting this power than in planning a fun day in the community. Stick a fork in me - I'm done!

New in town, you must be new to this earth. Wow! A festival that actually cares enough to try to protect children and you bellyache. Have you ever opened your eyes and seen how many unattended children there are at festivals and fairs. I wish they could screen everyone who attends festivals and fairs.

Sadly, many parents do not pay attention to their children and then kids can be so fast, that before you know it they are gone. BUT you want to criticize a festival that tries to protect children. Of course, if something happened to a kid, you'd probably be the first to blame the Fest too. Could you please use your grey matter before you post in the future!!

As I recall some 50,000 people attend Chocolate Festival each year. So if you few whiners don't want to attend, I don't think that they will miss you.

Our family goes every year and we love it!! It's a few bucks but it's closer and cheaper than the Dells. We love the creation. Sure we wish that there were more chocolate -- we love freebies -- but compared to some of the County Fairs, Burlington's festival is a lot of fun and pretty reasonable too.