By Jennifer Eisenbart
Editor
After handing out a plaque that recognized Friday, May 27, as Chocolate Day in Wisconsin, Gov. Scott Walker picked up a pair of scissors and cut a ribbon – appropriately made of Nestle “ChocolateFest” wrappers.
Walker and Wisconsin Tourism Secretary Stephanie Klett officially kicked off the festival with the short ceremony, which highlighted the long road to get ChocolateFest where it is today.
After Bill Stone started off the event, Bob Branen spoke about how the staff of the Standard Press got sat down by his father, Bill, trying to come up with an idea to help promote the city.
The festival was the answer, and in spite of years where it snowed (1990) and the parking lots flooding (1991), the festival survived. John Wanasek, the son of long-time promoter Jim Wanasek, spoke as well.
They both credited people like Jim Wanasek and other volunteers for their tireless efforts promoting and engaging the public in the festival, and also spoke about the “chocolate war” when Burlington and Hershey, Pa., battled for the name “Chocolate City USA.”
Local songwriter Eric Erickson performed the song he wrote at the time, with the line, “we’re the home of Nestle chocolate, and we won’t give up our name.”
The festival moved to Memorial Day weekend in 2005 in an attempt to capitalize on the longer holiday weekend and better avoid the foibles of weather.
State Assembly Speaker Robin Vos also spoke, pointing out the volunteer efforts that keep the festival going.
“I could not be prouder of our community,” he said.
And Klett said the festival and its workers “do Wisconsin proud.” She also officially announced the $20,000 JEM grant the festival got to expand promotion for the event.
Walker joked about doing extra FitBit steps so he could eat what he wanted at the festival, and then moved to cut the ribbon.
“This is a great tradition,” he said of the festival.
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