Chocolate tasting returns to Cape Henlopen State Park Sept. 8

It has been said that there's nothing better than a good friend, except a good friend with chocolate. The 12th Annual Chocolate Tasting is set for 1 to 4 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 8, at the Officer’s Club in Cape Henlopen State Park. The event is organized by Friends of Cape Henlopen State Park, good friends with chocolates. 

Event veterans already havethe date marked on their calendars. There will be plenty of chocolate for all and plenty of room to park. State park entry fees  are in effect.

Chocolate candy and baked goods prepared by local volunteers will be featured. Admission is $6 and includes tickets for six tastes; extra tastes go for 50 cents apiece. A selection of fabulous chocolate baked goods will be available to take home from the bake sale table for the perfect gift or family treat. Attendees are respectfully asked not to bring their own containers.

Co-chairs Barbara Schmidt and Trish Baines have planned not one but two raffles. First, there will also be a raffle of various items and gift cards. Drawings will be held through the afternoon. Raffle tickets will sell for $1 apiece or six for $5.  

Second, guests may take a chance on a weekend cottage stay at Delaware Seashore State Park. Tickets are $5 each or five for $20. For more information or to purchase tickets, call Barb Schmidt at 443-289-1148. Ticket holders do not need to be present for the drawing.

A family visit to the park offers a wide array of activities to help work off that chocolate high. There are trails to suit every walker. Bicycles are available to borrow at the Bike Barn for a ride around the park. Children can enjoy hours of fun on the equipment in the new playground. The whole family can play disc golf on the course across the street from the playground. And of course, the park contains beautiful beaches on the Delaware Bay and Atlantic Ocean.

Funds from this year’s event will go to replenish the Richard and Mirth Thatcher Education Fund. In this era of tight school budgets, teachers are finding it harder to finance quality field trips to Cape Henlopen State Park for hands-on experiences with nature and history. This education fund provides support with the cost of transportation to bring Sussex County school groups for the park’s Seaside Nature Center educational programs.  

The Friends of Cape Henlopen State park is a nonprofit organization made up of volunteers who donate their time to promote one of the crown jewels of Delaware’s state parks. Group members are strongly committed to public education about the park, and believe that education leads to appreciation, conservation and preservation. Friends volunteers also participate in monthly trails days and a variety of other direct activities within the park.

The Friends raise money for specific park projects such as the Bike Barn, restoration of the Hawk Watch, and their most recently completed project, the playground.  For more information, go to www.friendsofcapehenlopen.org, email fochsp@gmail.com or call 302-858-6127.