FAQ
The Midwest Craft Chocolate Festival's Mission
We envision a two-day celebration of craft chocolate, with a mission to build a stronger and more engaged chocolate community for both industry craftspeople and customers.
We believe in fostering a community where chocolate lovers and makers alike can come together while honoring the planet and the people behind each confection.
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Access - Rushville, Indiana
Note: Location updated for 2025 to the Love Community Center
How is the Midwest Craft Chocolate Festival different from other chocolate festivals?
This festival is not just for chocolate lovers, it's for anyone curious about the story behind chocolate, how it's grown, and how it's made. You’ll meet international cacao farmers and chocolate makers excited to share their samples and stories with you. You’ll have the chance to participate in chocolate classes and tastings taught onsite by down-to-earth chocolate experts from the Midwest and the world. Cacao farmers will be reflecting on the connections between their farms and Midwest agriculture. You’ll meet chocolatiers who use sustainably-grown cacao in their confections. We hope after tasting & learning you'll be inspired to buy hand-crafted milk, dark and white chocolate bars and treats not typically available in the region. Be the star at your Thanksgiving gathering by bringing some surprising chocolates to share with family and friends. Best of all, this is a chance to get a headstart on holiday shopping with unique gifts you won't find elsewhere!
Where does chocolate come from?
We're bringing cacao farmers to you, and they can't wait to show you how they grow cacao and let you touch a freshly picked cacao pod. Cacao only grows in tropical forests near the equator (plus in Hawaii and Puerto Rico), so this is a special weekend for anyone interested in learning more about the journey of the cacao bean from the tree to the chocolate bar in your hand.
Will there be chocolate to taste?
Yes! With your ticket you will enter into the Love Community Center where you can interact with chocolate vendors offering samples at their booth. Plus there will be chocolate tastings and educational classes you can join throughout the day. All are included in your ticket price. Make sure you check the schedule in advance for classes and tasting.
Can I buy chocolate?
Yes, get a headstart on holiday shopping or just treat yourself. There will be hand-crafted bars and bonbons and many other chocolate confections you can buy from each vendor. And, don't forget your Thanksgiving celebrations later that week that might appreciate a chocolate surprise.
How do the tickets work?
There are two ticketed events this year:
Friday Night VIP Experience (Ages 21+) with a more intimate evening including chocolate and wine.
Saturday's Family Festival will have timed tickets to help manage the flow of people. However, once you are in, you have full access to all of the exhibitors, samples and free classes. You are welcome to stay as long as you would like.
Can I buy tickets at the door or do they have to be purchased in advance?
You can buy tickets at the door, but we recommend buying in advance for early-bird pricing. There will be a limited number of tickets available.
Will there be non-chocolate food and drinks?
There will be lots of chocolate for sale, but for this craft-chocolate focused event, there will not be other foods for sale inside the venue. However, there will be water available for free at the venues, and also feel free to bring a refillable water bottle. It's important to keep hydrated as you sample chocolates! You can leave & re-enter with a wristband to purchase items in town.
Are children welcome?
Yes! We love sharing the story of cacao with kids. There will be a special Children's Activity area, where kids can touch a cacao pod, make a craft, learn, and hear a story about the journey from seed to chocolate. Entry to the Children's Activity Center is included in the ticket price.
Reduced children's ticket pricing is free for ages 5 and under and half-price for ages 6-12. See the ticketing website for more info.
Is there free parking for the weekend?
Love Community Center has a very large paved parking lot. Parking should not be a concern this year.
Christmas on Main from The Heart of Rushville
Rushville is excited to bring you Santa and the outdoor Christmas on Main Street parade on Friday evening from 5:00 PM-8:00 PM. This is an annual Christmas tradition for the entire family.
Visit the Heart of Rushville's event page for Christmas on Main for more information.
What is the difference between a chocolate maker and a chocolatier? Are they the same thing?
A chocolate maker buys cacao beans from a farmer and then makes chocolate in their shop, usually using just two ingredients, sugar and cacao beans. (Sometimes you’ll hear their chocolate described as being tree-to-bar or bean-to-bar.)
A chocolatier buys chocolate from a chocolate maker and creates chocolate treats, like truffles or bonbons. It can be confusing because a chocolate maker can also be a chocolatier, meaning after they make their own chocolate from cacao beans, they use that chocolate to create confections & treats.
Interesting trivia: Farmers are becoming skilled at making their own chocolate on-site, from cacao they grow and harvest, which means they are also considered a chocolate maker.
But don’t worry about remembering the terms, just focus on enjoying the variety of all the small makers’ & farmers’ hand-crafted work!
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