I’ll start right off with a sweet song about a sweet tooth (in my opinion the best song about addiction ever written) by Dave Rawlings Machine. And the song itself is every bit as addictive as any chocolate I’ve tasted, so I’m passing it on to you. Listen and you’ll see what I mean. youtube.com/watch?v=CVKMVGggvKY This is the soundtrack to my writing today, all I’m hearing in my head, and I’m thinking you’ll want another taste.

“And there’s an angel in the attic, sugar on top, There’s an angel in the attic, sugar on top, Oh, pretty please with sugar on top that when I die, sweet tooth in hand, I’m begging Peter send me to the candy land…”

So we all have our addictions, and our sweet teeth, of one kind or another. Feeding into this delectable desire, yummy yearnings, this craving of ganache, this longing for truffles, this taste for tarts, is the tenth annual LEWISBURG CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL. It kicks off on Friday April 8th with the sweet music of the SELDOM SCENE (7:30pm at Carnegie Hall), and continues with possible death by chocolate on Saturday, April 9th from early morning on through the dinner hour and beyond. The schedule includes the following: Hospice Care 10K Chocolate Chase at 9am at the Greenbrier Valley Airport, Choc Fest Brunch at the GV Library from 9-11am, FREE showings of Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory at the Lewis Theatre at 10:30 and 2 (with Trillium’s vaudeville-esque skits starting it off), music by BLACK KING COAL in the Green Space at 11am, Chocolate Bake Off at Premiere Bank (registration at 10am, judging at 11; consult the website for info and entry forms), Mousse-Eating Contests at Stella’s Restaurant, various cooking demonstrations by Chefs Jean-Francois Suteau and Rich Rosendale, Children’s Storytelling at 1pm in the Green Space (featured book is “Love Monster and the Last Chocolate” with kid listeners receiving a book to take home, while supplies last), followed by the live music of Second Block Rock at 2.

“I’ll meet the king of candy at a quarter to two, I’ll meet the king of candy at a quarter to two, He’ll feed my sweet tooth, bye and bye And he says he got somethin’ gonna satisfy…”

Many of the downtown Lewisburg restaurants are graciously participating in the festival by serving special chocolate themed entrees and desserts, though it is suggested that you visit the restaurant’s website for dining and reservation information. Some of the featured specials are as follows: The Asylum: Homemade chocolate cheesecake with salted caramel sauce, also featuring Devils Backbone Brewing Company cask-style Schwartz Bier with cocoa nibs and cherries; Del Sol Cantina and Grill: Coffee encrusted pork tenderloin topped with mole served with crisp tostones; Food & Friends: pepper-crusted beef tenderloin with a chocolate port sauce served with garlic smashed red potatoes, and chocolate bread pudding for dessert; The Livery: chocolate barbecue baby-back ribs; The French Goat: Steak et Hommard avec Sauce du Chocolate, Grilled ribeye barrel, butter poached lobster, crisp oxtail McCair potato, white chocolate fennel silk, baby vegetables, milk chocolate jus; Stardust Cafe: Hot Chili Chocolate Mole Chicken; and the Historic General Lewis Inn; Cocoa Rubbed Filet with Mocha Porter Reduction.

“Said the little bear to the honey bee, Said the little bear to the honey bee
I’d do anything in this doggone mighty world if you’d give in to your sweet tooth…
Said the soothsayer to the candy cane, Said the soothsayer to the candy cane
Ah, honey let me try you one more time I’ll tell you if it tastes the same…”

For full information and resources, schedules, tastings, and mouth-watering meanderings, consult the website at www.lewisburgchocolatefestival.com

Curious choco-heads can call 800-833-2068 for more info, and tickets are available at the following locations for in-person purchase via cash or check made out to Lewisburg Chocolate Festival: Greenbrier County Visitors Center, Harmony Ridge Gallery, Greenbrier Valley Baking Company, and Re/Max Vision Quest. Tickets are $1 apiece sold in packets of five for $5. Tickets can be purchased online here: lewisburgchocolatefestival.com/tickets/ and are available at will-call the day of the event (City Hall). The charity partner is the United Way of Greenbrier Valley (www.UWGBV.org).

“Sheep’s in the meadow, wolf’s in the house, Sheep’s in the meadow, wolf’s in the house Candy’s in the hand of the candy man And the sweet tooth’s in my mouth.”

– Susanna Robinson-Kenga. LBSPY #76. April 2016.