Chocolate Walk Will Kick Off 2021
By ERIC X. VICCARO
eviccaro@stegenherald.com
The first major tourism event of the 2021 calendar for downtown Ste. Genevieve will take place on Feb. 6.
The annual traditional “Chocolate Walk” will begin at 10 a.m. on Feb. 6, with Common Grounds Coffeehouse serving as the starting point. The event will run through mid-afternoon.
Tickets have been on sale for the event since Dec. 1.
Janece Warden, the owner of downtown restaurant Stella and Me Café, had the idea for the Chocolate Walk – which began in February 2009.
“It’s an outdoor event primarily, and some people still feel comfortable in that environment,” said city of Ste. Genevieve tourism director Toby Carrig. “It’s a break from the winter doldrums.”
The COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic has turned social events into a formidable challenge to schedule.
As of last Friday afternoon, the Downtown Ste. Genevieve organization – the event’s sponsor – reported 64 tickets still remaining.
“None will be held back for the day of the event,” Carrig said.
Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the last minute.
Tourists and locals alike will share in the chocolate goodness, which goes hand in hand with the fast-approaching Valentine’s Day holiday.
Katessa Simmons-Dame from the Belle Ever After Boutique said very few participants were going to have pre-manufactured candy items.
Most of the chocolate will be homemade, in the form of drinks, cakes, brownies and the like.
Participating businesses are as follows: Belle Ever After Boutique, Common Grounds, Sassafras Creek Originals, Brix Urban Winery and Market, Audubon’s Bar Grill, European Entitlements, Music Art Love, Rustik Sand Kandles, Rollin’ On The River Shack and Bike Rental, Hands-On History House, Centre For French Colonial Life, Show-Me Shop, Harold’s Famous Bee Co., Sweet Things Sweet Shop, ASL Pewter, Le Techniques Salon, Rosie’s Posies and the Ste. Genevieve National Historical Park Welcome Center.
Unlike previous years, the King’s Ball – which normally takes place on the same day as the Chocolate Walk – has been canceled due in part to
COVID-19 situation.
For information, log onto Downtown Ste. Genevieve’s website at: facebook.com/downtownstegen.
Notes
• Carrig, during his tourism report at the board of alderman meeting last Thursday, noted Ecole du Soldat, typically scheduled for the last weekend of April in Ste. Genevieve, also has been canceled.
Holy Family militia, a historical re-enactment group from Cahokia, Ill., serves as the event’s organizer.
• Sassafras Creek Originals, on St. Mary’s Road, is putting together an event for the weekend of Saturday and Sunday, May 22-23, Carrig reported.
The event is expected to have craft demonstrations and vendors in addition to live music.
The Garden Walk, also typically scheduled for May, already has been canceled — so this event may help fill a void.
• Carrig handed out stickers to Ste. Genevieve Board of Aldermen featuring the new logo of the Ste. Genevieve National Historical Park.
Tumblers and mugs with the new logo already are available at the historical park welcome center. T-shirts and hooded sweatshirts will soon be available as well.