We’re doin’ it again! Downtown Rhinelander is the place to be for the fifth annual Taste of Chocolate! Make plans to enjoy a great night out with friends on Friday, Feb. 10, from 5 to 8 p.m.

The downtown stays open late during this community retail event that supports a variety of local independent shops and organizations. Tickets for Taste of Chocolate are now available at Trig’s service counter in Rhinelander and Minocqua and at Northern Coffee Haus, Rhinelander Area Chamber of Commerce and Rhinelander Cafè & Pub. Ticket price is $5 for entry into the $1,000 “downtown bucks” giveaway, and a taste of chocolate at each of the 36 participating locations.

Special thanks to Printpack, Inc., sponsor of the Snickers Golden Ticket $1,000 “downtown bucks” giveaway. Just imagine what you might do with a spare $1,000!

Participating businesses include Forth Floral, 13 Gifts, Fun Factory Sweet Shoppe, Frasier Kitchens, In Style, House of Spirits, Lattitudes, Carpetiers Carpet One, Rhinelander Cafè & Pub, BucketHeads, Bugsy’s, Diane’s Frame Shoppe, Coyote 93.7FM, Best Western Claridge, Denim & Leather Exchange, Anna Fusion Massage, Northern Coffee Haus, Sew Smart, Jim’s Jewelry Stoehr, KC Menagerie, Mane Flair, Book World, Bridal Gallerie, Old School Arts & Learning Center, Knight Gallery, Peggy’s Emporium, Spooky J’s, Schlager’s, Dubl Digits, Mel’s Trading Post, Jake’s Tatooing, Cellar 70 and Trig’s Floral & Home. Three community organizations are participating as well-Calvary Baptist Church (they’ll be set up at the Headwaters Christian Youth center, 26 South Brown Street); Oneida County Humane Society (they’ll be set up with their “pooches for smooches” on North Brown Street) and ArtStart Inc’s. new film club, Peanut Gallery (they’ll be set up on South Brown Street, location of their next film event on Feb. 25.)

New this year will be a snow sculpture competition. View the snow art sculptures on Brown and Stevens Streets during Taste of Chocolate. Teams involved in the snow sculpting competition will be creating their works of art beginning Feb. 7, and must be completed by noon on the 10th. Prizes will be awarded by 5 p.m., the start of Taste of Chocolate. Hopefully the weather cooperates so we have enough snow to make some unique sculptures and enjoy them for days and weeks ahead.

The drawing for the $1,000 “downtown bucks” takes place at the conclusion of Taste of Chocolate. So at about the time our bellies are full of the cacao indulgences, we draw for the winning Snickers Golden Ticket! To see the drawing live, join us at 8:15 p.m. at the Rhinelander Cafè & Pub. Mark and Patty will have some special surprises I’m sure!

What makes this such a successful and fun evening is the discovery of the unique shops and the welcoming hospitality by our local merchants! Every year I hear comments like, “I didn’t know this shop was here in Rhinelander” and “We’re having so much fun!” We’re so fortunate to have a solid base of business in our downtown! Come support our local business and say hi!

What’s after Taste of Chocolate? Would you believe our next hoopla is a St. Patrick’s Day Parade? You “betcha!” You’re invited to participate in a planning meeting for this (as I’m told) very first St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Downtown! Join us on Wednesday, Feb. 8, at 6 p.m., at Pat’s Tavern. We have a great core group of folks who have been talking about a St. Patty’s Day Parade for 10 years! I’m confident it’s going to happen in 2012, and we welcome your participation! Remember, we’re all Irish on St. Patrick’s Day!

See you downtown! Sweet! And that’s no blarney!

Sue Bessert is available at the Rhinelander Main Street office, located at 21A S. Brown St. Call her at (715) 362-7374, or email msdri@frontiernet.net.