Millersburg’s Chocolate Walk returns Dec. 13 with handmade treats and holiday shopping

Do you remember the kids game Candyland, in which players moved from square to square through a collection of fabled candy communities to be the first to reach the ultimate goal of finding King Candy’s Castle?

It is time to participate in a similar activity, but this time the candy is for real.

Historic Downtown Millersburg will host an event soon that is sure to enhance the Christmas season for all who participate, and it is going to be sweet … literally.

HDM’s annual Chocolate Walk will take place Saturday, Dec. 13, promising plenty of holiday spirit, sweet treats and savings to those who join.

Stores will be decorated for the holidays, where there will be plenty of pre-Christmas sales and many more festive events taking place.

But what better way to take patrons from store to store than the allure of a variety of handmade candies, fresh from the professional hands of Verna Troyer, owner of Troyer’s Sweet Shoppe in Millersburg?

From 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., visitors can explore Historic Downtown Millersburg and collect chocolate treats from local businesses. While out and about, they also can enjoy viewing the festive window displays and vote for their favorite.

The Chocolate Walk has grown into a holiday season favorite for both locals and out-of-towners. According to Taylor Sigler, Historic Downtown Millersburg executive director, the excitement is already at a fever pitch.

“This has grown into such a wonderful tradition that is one of the most highly anticipated events we offer in Historic Downtown Millersburg,” Sigler said. “People love it. Verna makes all the chocolate for this event, and it is heavenly.”

Troyer said she and Sigler sit down and create a list of 14 different types of chocolate that should entice any chocoholic.

“We pick a lot of caramel candies because of the popularity, like sea salt caramels and turtles, but we try to create a fun and unique blend with truffles, buckeyes and a variety of chocolates. We also did something different this year in creating a nice Christmas-themed mold for the chocolate,” Troyer said.

Because of the vast possibilities, one might never know what chocolates will make up the 14 varieties of candy available to participants. Troyer said people will simply have to join to find out what awaits them.

“Verna puts so much work and effort into making this something special for everyone,” Sigler said.

Not only are the delicacies alluring, so too is the aura surrounding the downtown area, where Christmas themes abound and the holiday season is in full swing.

Sigler said the joy surrounding this event in Historic Downtown Millersburg during the holidays and the Chocolate Walk is a fun way to invite people to explore all the participating stores.

“There’s such a festive spirit throughout the day, and we’re excited because we think we’ve made this one even bigger and better than ever,” Sigler said. “It’s a great event for groups to share a fun day or two together, should they choose to stay overnight. There’s plenty of things to see and do and some great places to eat.”

She said this is a perfect getaway for couples who want to share a romantic time together as they collect candy, shop, explore HDM and even check out the many Christmas decorations among the businesses.

The businesses have gone the extra mile to decorate their window fronts for the ongoing Christmas window decoration contest, which will wrap up that day.

Presale tickets are $20 and are available in person at the Holmes County Chamber of Commerce or online, or patrons can purchase them the day of for $25.

Sigler said on the day of the event, participants can stop by at the chamber to either purchase tickets and get started on the walk or pick up their gift bag and map if they’ve preordered. From there, everyone is on their own as they explore HDM, collect their sweet treats and find great sales, with a special flyer with coupons created specifically for this event.

For updates and information, visit Historic Downtown Millersburg on its Facebook page or check www.historicdowntownmillersburg.com/event/the-chocolate-walk/.