Home » News » Hortonville News » Chocolate Fest expands

Chocolate Fest expands

Two-day event moves to Alonzo Park

By John Faucher


The Hortonville Civic Association will host the ninth annual Chocolate Fest at Alonzo Park June 2-3.

The civic association took over planning Chocolate Fest last fall, after the Fox West Chamber informed the village it was interested in moving away from events to focus more on programming for its member cities.

The Chamber previously hosted Chocolate Fest at Commercial Club Park. It is the largest annual event that takes place in the village.

Hortonville Civic Association President Peter Olk said this year’s event would begin on Friday evening June 2 and continue through 10 p.m. Saturday, June 3.

“Friday night’s event kicks off at 5 p.m. with a fish fry sponsored by the Hortonville Lions Club,” said Olk. “There will be carnival rides, a midway with food and games, and music on stage featuring the local country rock band Starfire.”

Olk said the grounds open at 10 a.m. Saturday with the carnival rides, midway, an artisan village, vendor village and a new confectionary village with anything “Chocolate.”

“Local music entertainment and displays will be on stage throughout the morning and afternoon,” said Olk. “The highlight of the festival features Vic Ferrari on stage Saturday beginning at 6:30 p.m. until 10 p.m.”

Admission to the event is free.

Members of the Hortonville Civic Association will be serving food and beverages in the pavilion.

Olk said there will be ample designated parking at the event as well as on-street parking around Alonzo Park.

Police Chief Michael Sullivan informed village board members Thursday, March 16, that the public safety committee has discussed having extra police assisting with the event to ensure measures.

“It’s going to be a great event but obviously we have to look at implementing some safety measures too,” said Sullivan.

An officer will be stationed at the intersection of East Main Street (Highway 15) and Warner Street to help pedestrians cross the street.

“We’re going to be looking at alternating officers in and out of that area. Similar to what you might have seen at the Outagamie County Fair in Seymour,” said Sullivan.

He said the Police Department’s light tower will also be utilized on site during the nighttime as an added safety measure.

Other events that day
The Hortonville Area School District is hosting a 5K Fun Run with Fox West Academy and Hortonville Middle School at 8:30 a.m. The run starts on the Hortonville Middle School campus at 220 Warner St., and follows marked streets in residential neighborhoods before returning to the school. A 1-mile fun run for kids begins at 8:30 a.m., and the 5K Run/Walk begins at 9 a.m. For more information visit www.hasd.org.

Olk said other organizations are also planning to hold a bicycle and bike safety event in the village that day as well.

“Looks like a huge weekend event for Hortonville this year,” said Olk.

Scroll to Top