About the Event
The most delicious event of the winter is upon us!
It’s time to get back into your kitchen after the holidays and dream up a chocolate creation to delight (and amuse) the PPAU crowd. Or just come, indulge and enjoy the spirit of the evening.
Chocolate Festival Schedule
New for 2026!
Awards and live auction start earlier
6:30 p.m. – Doors Open; Public Tasting, Silent Dessert Auction and People’s Choice voting begin
People mingle, enjoy their chocolate, beverages from the cash bar, and live music provided by favorite local musicians.
Your entry donation provides a tasting ticket for ten dessert samples. Information about how to vote for the People’s Choice is included on the ticket. The Silent Dessert Auction happens throughout the evening, until closing is announced. A bidder registration number is needed for the Silent Dessert Auction.
Online Auction
The Online Auction will already be open and will remain open until 8:30 p.m.
Grab and Go Table
The ever-popular Grab and Go Table will be open throughout the evening or until sold out (which often happens). If you’d like to take home some pretty packages of cookies, truffles, fudge, brownies or other goodies for loved ones, friends, babysitters, or even yourself, this is where you can find them. Grab and Go items, which are made and donated by some of the finest bakers and chocolate makers in the community, are already gift-wrapped and most are in smaller quantities and affordably priced, with no need to bid. We also have some cute Chocolate Festival merch available here.
7 p.m. – Awards & Live Auction Begin
An overview of the event schedule will be held in the main ballroom beginning at 7 pm, followed by the first period of awards and live auction. Listen for announcements while you enjoy your chocolate!
This is your chance to take home the best of the festival entries: Grand Prize and People’s Choice winners; all Premier Showcase entries; and 1st prize cakes, cookies, brownies, chocolates, potpourri and Youth/Families entries will be available for bidding. Awards will be announced for each category just before the 1st prize winner in that category is auctioned, rather than all awards at once. The order of categories for Awards and Auction will be posted throughout the venue so you can make sure you don’t miss the ones you want.
Sampling and Silent Dessert and Online Auction bidding will continue during the Awards and Live Auction.
The Online Auction will close at 8:30 p.m.
The in-person Silent Dessert Auction will close at approximately 8:15 p.m.