STAFFORD – It’s all about the chocolate as the second-annual Chocolate Sampler AFair is set to tickle taste buds Saturday is Stafford.

The tasty event will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the grounds of the Henderson Inn and Retreat Center complex, 201 N. Green St. Tickets are $4 in advance and $5 at the gate.

"Our goal is to enjoy chocolate in all forms while promoting tourism in Stafford, on the Wetlands National Scenic Byway and Quivira National Wildlife Refuge," said Clare Moore, Henderson House owner and one of the festival organizers.

Although food oriented, the event was conceived to highlight tourism of the byway. Stafford is the south end and Hoisington is at the north end. In between are the towns of St. John, Hudson, Ellinwood, Great Bend and Claflin. Also, along the way is Quivira and Cheyenne Bottoms.

The day will consist of various demonstrations and chocolate-making contests. Competitions will include best chocolate decorated cake, best chocolate dessert, best chocolate fudge, best chocolate cookies, best hot chocolate drink and best chocolate candy. Everyone who enters the contests will receive free admission and could win a $100 cash prize.

In addition, every half hour starting at 9:30 a.m. more participating contests will take place, including a chocolate pie eating contest, chocolate ice cream eating contest, best adult and best youth costume contest, finally the chocolate bar sculpting contest. The Sculpting contest requires a four-person team. The others are individual contests. Costume entrants should come dressed in costume showing off their beauty throughout the day. Anyone can enter and winners receive cash prizes. Register at the entry gates.

Also, starting at 9:45 a.m., and running on every 15 minutes, different chocolate making demonstrations. Starting at 9:30 a.m. and running on every half hour is the chocolate cupcake walk. Every participant gets a chocolate decorated cupcake. And every winner gets a five-inch chocolate decorated cake.

Throughout the day, AFair goers can sample chocolate at more than 20 vendors booths under the big tent. Items range from chocolate caramel apples, to chocolate fudge, to chocolate blueberry muffins, cookies, chocolate drinks, gourmet coffees, truffles, bon bons and more.

A massage therapist will be available for hand massages, facial, massages, foot massages. Another new addition to the festival will be hands-on farm experiences such as hand grist mill grinding of wheat and corn, corn shelling, coffee grinding, butter churning. These farm hands-on experiences will continue to be developed as part of the Wetlands National Scenic Byway experience. And these along with other local cultural experiences will be available throughout the year for visitors along the Byway.

The event is sponsored by Stafford Chamber of Commerce, Stafford Main Street Association and Henderson Inn and Retreat Center. For more information, contact: Clare Moore at claremont2@msn.com or 1-800-888-1417; the Stafford Chamber at 1-620-234-5614; or Stafford Main Street at stfdmainstreet@sbcglobal.net.

Visit www.chocoatefestivalstafford.com for complete information and details.