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About the Chocolate Festival
The Oakdale Chocolate Festival began in 1993, with over 30, 000 chocolate lovers and their families pouring into town for that first year, after that the Oakdale Chamber of Commerce has never looked back. “Every town has a theme for its event. Having had the Hershey’s Chocolate and Confectionery Corporation plant here in Oakdale made it natural to have a chocolate festival,” explains Chamber CEO Mary Guardiola. “Last year we had over 80,000 people and are expecting 90,000 this year.” Chocolate lovers come from as far away as Sweden, while many come from the Bay and Sacramento. “We actually get a lot of phone calls from people who want to schedule their vacations around the Festival.” Guardiola laughs.
The festival raises money for many organizations in our community, explains Guardiola. “Over $20,000 dollars is raised by different volunteer fund-raising groups who help at the gates, clean up, serve beverages and more. Many of the booths are local non-profit organizations whom we don’t charge for booth space and it in turn gives them a chance to raise money. The Cowboy museum is open that weekend, and they also raise funds from walk-in donations.” The festival is a family-oriented event is held in Wood Park in downtown Oakdale at the intersections of Highways 120 & 108. Just inhale and smell that unmistakable heavenly scent of CHOCOLATE! News 10 will once again be joining us this year as our title sponsors of the event. The festival is a non-alcoholic event and totally geared to a family fun for all ages. The entrance fee is just $5.00 for adults, $4.00 for seniors; kids 12 and under, and military in uniform are free. You can also bring a can good and get $1.00 off your admission. All can goods collected are given to our local Community Sharing Food Bank to help feed the less fortunate in our area. As you stroll down the cobble stone street of Sierra and G Streets you can view the unique quality crafted artisans as they display their items of original craftsmanship. From appliqué, original art, pottery, ceramic, leather, wood working craftsman to blown glass, and that special hand made outfit. We believe the variety of our vendors is unsurpassed! Then prepare yourself to enjoy our food court where you can sit down and eat a variety of foods, such as tri tip sandwiches, frozen fruit smoothies, corn dogs, Philly Steak sandwiches, Lockeford sausage, pita sandwiches, oriental food, corn on the cob, chocolate funnel cake Tri tip sandwiches just to mention a few foods that is sure to subdue your hunger.
There will be a variety of games for both old and young at heart in the Kids Area. You can slide down a hundred foot slide, ride the minature 18 wheeler, take a spin on a wild strawberry, wind your self through the kids area and for those brave soles you can climb up three stories to the top of the climbing rock wall or just let the kids bounce in the variety of bounce houses as you watch them from the shaded area provided for the families.
On Saturday, you don’t want to miss the 5K & One Mile Fun Run which benefits the Oakdale High School Track team and is assisted by Shadow Chase Running Club. Each runner receives a special designed Fun Run T-Shirt, free entrance into the festival, race entry and refreshments. Entry fee for either the 5K or One Mile Fun Run is $15 for those over 12 years old; $10 for 12 and under until May 1st, After that, the race entry increases to $20 for adults and $15 for 12 and under. Registration begins at 7:00 a.m. the day of the race at the corner of First Street and “G” Street by the Oakdale Library. Awards will be presented shortly after the runs at approximately 9:30 am at the start/finish line.
CHOCOLATE….CHOCOLATE…..Follow the park path as you stroll down News 10 Chocolate Avenue. Savor the mouth-watering treats…all CHOCOLATE. The Chocolate companies will be offering delicious tempting chocolate products that range from cakes, cookies, pastries, ice cream, shakes to fudge, toffees, truffles and chocolate dipped fruit. There will be plenty of wonderful Hershey’s chocolate on hand. Many booths offer on site sample as well as treats to purchase and take home. Wood Park is also the location of our Pacific Gas & Electric Celebrity Cooking Stage which features Chefs preparing delectable chocolate recipes on stage with 3 performances each day. Don’t miss all the great entertainment on Chocolate Festival Main Stage. Enjoy our local bands, dance groups, Karate demonstrations, solo and group singers and bands playing a variety of Country, Rhythm and Blues, Folk and Blue Grass just to mention a few. Why not just spend the night and see what Oakdale has to offer? Pamper yourself with dinner at one of our premier local restaurants and a night in one of our comfortable hotels. Visit our Oakdale museums, Oakdale Cheese & Specialties and visit the many specialty gift shops that surround.
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Do you like Chocolate? Then plan to be in Oakdale for their Annual Chocolate Festival held the third weekend of May each year. Because if you like Chocolate, your chocolate cravings will definitely be satisfied at this year’s festival. And there’s a bunch of fun to be added to your taste experience – Arts & Crafts, Classic Cars, Chocolate Decadence Train Trips, Kids Land, Western Show and more!
The event has grown to such a size that it has a full-time coordinator, Kellie Yohanan,who works on the festival year round. There are 50 people on the Committee and over 300 volunteers, all who work together to make this event a great experience. 
Hold on to your hats as the Spirits of the Old West venture you on a journey at the old western town created by the Sierra Railroad. The brawny western actors and their shady ladies step you back into a time where the lawless battle against the law in an old town show down performance. Watch for the snake oil salesman, who knows what he’ll try to sell ya’. There will be a gun safety act for the kids at the end of each of their performances. Across from the western town you will find a large agricultural display featuring a variety of agricultural products grown or produced in Stanislaus County. Our leading commodities are milk and almonds valued at over $620 million dollars. A stroll through the Agricultural Display will prove to be both entertaining and informative. 
The Central California Corvette Club teams up with the Oakdale Chamber to put on one of the best quality shows in the valley. You will be pleasantly surprised as you view the Classic Car Show which features 90 quality vehicles each day of the event. There are approximately 30 trophies awarded by the judges each day to the entrants of the car show. A variety of 28 vehicle classes from special interest cars and trucks, to street rods, T-Buckets, Corvettes, Muscle Cars, American made and foreign sure to please the most discreet of car show enthusiast. So, shine up that beauty and show it off! Or just stroll through those beauties and dream of being behind the wheel.
The Hawk 104.1, a Valley Radio Station has Chocolate fun for the whole family! The Chocolate Challenge involves various competitive games featuring chocolate. Competitors are selected from the audience one hour before the event is scheduled to start. Join in the fun on The Hawk Chocolate Challenge stage which is held both days of the festival at 10am; 12pm; 2pm and 4pm. Young and old alike are encouraged to participate. 
Chocolate Festival Brochure |
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