Forrest Gump told us “Life is like a box of chocolates,” and that’s what life was like when the Historic Downtown Bethlehem Chocolate Trail 2022 spun the downtown into a candy-coated trail of chocolate bliss.
An unusually warm winter afternoon set the backdrop for the annual event, this year held Feb. 12, that welcomed chocolate lovers to follow their map along the chocolaty trail throughout the downtown, visiting their favorite shops and restaurants to receive a sampling of sweetness.
A limited amount of non-refundable $35 tickets were available to allow for proper social distancing.
“Everyone’s enjoying the chocolate,” Becky Ciafrei, store manager of Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop, said as visitors streamed in throughout the afternoon. “This brings in a lot of business – sales are up,” Ciafrei said, noting the shop opened at the end of 2019, just prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I’m happy to see everyone out enjoying the day, and the weather is better, too,” Ciafrei said, referencing temperatures that climbed into the 50s. “We’re getting good feedback. Overall, it’s a great day.”
Participating merchants and restaurants were: Bethlehem BrewWorks; Chocolate Lab; Christmas City Spirits; Clusters Handcrafted Popcorn; Crave; Domaci; Edge Restaurant; Franklin Hill Vineyards; Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop; Hand Cut Crystal/Bethlehem Christmas Shoppe; Historic Hotel Bethlehem; Hotel B Ice Cream Parlor; Knobs N’ Knockers; McCarthy’s Red Stag Pub and Whiskey Bar; Musselman Jewelers; Plants and Vintage; Seasons Olive Oil and Vinegar Taproom; The Gem Shop; and Twisted Olive.
Presented by the Downtown Bethlehem Association, the event was sponsored by Lehigh Valley Heart Institute, part of Lehigh Valley Health Network.
To quote Jackie Gleason’s hallmark catchphrase, “How sweet it is!”
Those sweet on chocolate follow the trail near Hotel B Ice Cream Parlor and Grandpa Joe's Candy Shop at the Historic Downtown Bethlehem Chocolate Trail 2022. The Christmas City offered the pre-Valentine's Day helping of delicious fun Feb. 12.
A woman follows the chocolate trail to Chocolate Lab during the event presented by Downtown Bethlehem Association and sponsored by Lehigh Valley Heart Institute, part of Lehigh Valley Health Network.
Bedecked for Valentine's Day, Chocolate Lab welcomes chocolate lovers checking out the sweet treats.
Arlene Borckel, owner of Chocolate Lab, displays a tray of chocolate truffles. “We look forward to this every year. We see a lot of our regular customers, and it's a good time for everybody. It's been crazy today,” Borckel said.
Visitors eye up the confectionary goodies at Grandpa Joe's Candy Shop. “Everyone's enjoying the chocolate,” said store manager Becky Ciafrei.
PRESS PHOTOS BY TAMI QUIGLEY Corinne Walsh, head pastry chef of McCarthy's Bakery, and Claudio Alvalle, marketing manager, showcase Cinful Chocolate Truffles at McCarthy's Red Stag Pub and Whiskey Bar. The truffles are made of dark chocolate, cinnamon, Jameson Irish Whiskey and McCarthy's homemade Irish cream. “We're the number one seller of Jameson in Pennsylvania,” Walsh said.
David Saunders, manager, and Shawn Fortley, team member, are ready to greet guests at Franklin Vineyards, which offered a sample comprised of drizzled popcorn, a strawberry wafer cookie dipped in chocolate and sprinkles, a brownie and piece of fudge. Saunders said Franklin Hill paired the sampling with a white chocolate covered strawberry Sangria, though the libation was not part of the chocolate trail.
caption 8 (image 8) Dressed up for Valentine's Day, Franklin Hill Vineyards welcomes chocolate lovers.
Bourbon Maple Truffles are ready to satisfy everyone's sweet tooth at Historic Hotel Bethlehem.
Visitors make their selections at Grandpa Joe's Candy Shop.
