AMHERST — The Festival of Chocolate … and More returns to the Jensen Community Center in Amherst from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 21.

Activities throughout the day will include:

Dr. Zorba Paster, public radio host of the nationally syndicated “Zorba Paster On Your Health,” will be the keynote speaker. He will present “How to Live a Long Sweet Life,” emphasizing the importance of a daily chocolate fix. Other free programs throughout the day are: “Body Image and the Media: Is Barbie to Blame,” “Maintaining Healthy Skin,” “Avoiding Fitness Plateaus,” “A Personal and World View of Renewable Energy” and “Living in Harmony.”

Included in the festival is a chocolate cook-off. Categories include: chocolate cakes, chocolate pies and cheesecakes, healthier remakes and brownies/bars. First-, second- and third-place entries are awarded cash prizes of $75, $50, and $25 respectively. Instead of an entry fee, entrants are asked to prepare two identical entries. One will be used for judging and samples, the other one will be sold at auction.

An art and craft fair is also part of the festival. Local artists, vendors, bakers and candy makers will have a great selection of wonderful gifts for those on your Christmas list.

The mini-fitness adventures include yoga, gentle yoga, pilates, belly dancing, Zumba, BodyVive and personal training. These 20-minute introductory classes are designed to allow festival goers to investigate these activities at no charge. All leaders are certified and will be available to answer questions.

New to this year’s festival is a passport program. Festival goers who participate in the program by exploring the wonderful selection of unique shops and businesses in Amherst can earn a chance to win some delicious prizes.

To conclude the day, Tomorrow River Concerts will present an evening with Claudia Schmidt at 7:30 p.m. The three chocolate cook-off entries that received Judges’ Choice Awards will be sold at auction during intermission. Tickets are $12.

Tickets for the festival are $10 in advance or $12 the day of the event. Admission includes entry to the art and craft show, all theater programs including a keynote by Dr. Zorba Paster, mini-fitness adventures, entry to the auction of cook-off entries, silent auction, local passport program, and five tickets to be used at the chocolate fondue bar, hot cocoa and coffee bar, sample bar of thousands of chocolate candies, desserts, and reats, and samples during the auction of cook off entry items.

There will be an additional fee for cooking classes, non-chocolate lunch options, chair or thai massage and the concert by Claudia Schmidt.

The Festival is co-sponsored by the Jensen Community Center and Adventure 212. For more information, call 824-5202 or go to the Web site at www.festivalofchocolate.org.

Courtesy: Wisinfo.com