The first annual Ghirardelli Chocolate Jubilee was a sweet, chocolatey success which took place in front of the Ghirardelli outlet in Lathrop, California. This event was the brainchild of the Ghirardelli Chocolate Company, who teamed up with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Manteca and Lathrop, in order to expose the public to some of the local vendors from the area.

According to EventBrite, “The event will be a chocolate experience that brings together community, local flavors and unique chocolate tastings.”

The sweetest part is that a portion of the profits will be donated to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Manteca and Lathrop. The Ghirardelli Chocolate Jubilee will feature fresh chocolate samples from local businesses as well as Ghirardelli ice cream eating contests, Ghirardelli Chocolate School, vibrant music and dance from local artists, and a FREE children’s play area.”

The tickets were $22 for a single one with fifteen tastings and the family or four-person pack was $50 for ten tastings per person.

The local vendors were simply amazing and surprisingly generous. The samplings ranged from anything like creamy truffles, rich olive oil and little bits of crunchy cannoli.

From Ghirardelli: “Confirmed sampling vendors include Nothing Bundt Cakes (Stockton, CA), Bon Mange (Stockton, CA), Cake Couture (Stockton, CA), Anna’s Irresistibles (Tracy, CA), Dunkin Donuts (Modesto, CA), Fab Delights (Antioch, CA), CR Fudge Co. (Newman, CA), DeBrito Chocolate Factory (Hollister, CA), Busen Bites (Discovery Bay, CA), The Olive Oil Pantry (Manteca, CA), Spirit Cakes (Sacramento, CA), Marich Chocolates (Hollister, CA), Sconza Candy Company (Oakdale, CA), Way to Life Foods (Antioch, CA), and The Rustic Puff (Lodi, CA).”

Along with the tastings, there were many entertainment opportunities, some of which were the Lathrop High School band/choir and performers like Dreama Diaz (a local singer/songwriter) and The Apartments (a local garage rock band). There were also karate performances from the Boys and Girls Club martial arts group and dance group, tours of the outlet that showed how chocolate is made, and Ghirardelli ice cream sundae eating contests, where six people had to eat the famous sundaes as quickly as possible without hands.

Also for entertainment, there were game booths that contained popular carnival games like ring toss. Bouncy castles and slides were available to young children attending the jubilee.

Guests of the jubilee left happily with tummies full of chocolate and plenty of samples to enjoy for later. Everyone received a Ghirardelli booklet in which the samplings were checked off and included a 15% off coupon for anything at the Ghirardelli outlet, where the whole event took place.

So far, all signs point to many more upcoming annual Ghirardelli Chocolate Jubilees with even more vendors and entertainment. The Ghirardelli Chocolate Jubilee was an event not to be missed and is sure to gain more popularity throughout years.