

FAQ
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?
Hint: It's not Belgium or Switzerland! 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! Anyone who purchases a ticket will be able to taste chocolate samples from vendors. With your ticket you'll get a wristband that allows you entrance into two locations with chocolate vendors, plus there will also be chocolate tasting 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. Vendors will be available Friday from 4:00-7:00 and Saturday from 9:00-12:30 and 1:30-5:00 to share their samples at their booth, and sell their hand-crafted chocolates.
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?
To help manage the flow of people, there will be two sessions, a morning and an afternoon. A ticket gives you access to all the exhibitors & samples plus the classes. You can buy a ticket for both sessions, or even better, we recommend the VIP ticket which gives you access to all 3 sessions (Friday night, Saturday morning & Saturday afternoon), plus some extra goodies.
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.
Please note: On Saturday, all on-site registration, ticketing & check-in will be at the historical Rushville library, the first stop on your weekend chocolate adventure.
Will there be non-chocolate food and drinks?
There will be lots of chocolate for sale, but for this craft-chocolate focused event, there won’t 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! There will not be other drinks available inside the venue, but 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. International children's author, Nettie Attikson, will be hosting an hourly reading of her delightful board book "The Chocolate Seed." 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?
There will be free parking throughout downtown, look for updates on the website.
Where do we check-in when we arrive in Rushville?
On Friday, look for check-in and registration on Main Street.
On Saturday, all on-site registration, ticketing & check-in will be inside the historical Rushville library, the FIRST stop on your weekend chocolate adventure. Look for signs!
Is there anything else happening in Rushville that weekend?
Rushville is excited to bring you Santa and the outdoor Christmas on Main Street on Friday evening from 5-8 pm. This is a yearly Christmas tradition that the entire family can participate in. For more info on Christmas on Main, visit the Rushville Christmas on Main facebook event page.
On Saturday, the Princess Theatre on Main Street will be hosting chocolate-themed movies all day for kids & adults of all ages.
And, everyone is welcome to join us at the 8:30 am opening ceremony being held on Saturday morning at the iconic Princess Theatre. The opening ceremony is free, no ticket required.
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!