Mark Freeman is an idea guy; he's had many great ideas throughout his life. Among his most brilliant is the Chocolate Walk.

The Chocolate Walk brings people to downtown Lititz, engages local businesses and helps kids. It also involves fun and Wilbur Chocolate.

"I was sitting at a table across from a group of people and I said, 'I always wanted to have a chocolate festival,'" said Freeman, the founder and chair of the Chocolate Walk committee. "We were talking about some things that we can do that are different. Someone said, 'That idea has legs.' Someone made the comment that these events where people go in and out of businesses are nice.

"We have a lot of fun, and we raise a lot of money," Freeman continued. "It really benefits all around; that's why it's successful. Everyone sees the benefit of it."

In this year of anniversaries, Freeman's Chocolate Walk idea is turning 25. This year's edition of the family-oriented fundraiser will be staged from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 10.

But tickets are already on sale for the event. They can be purchased locally at Wilbur Chocolate, Aaron's Books, Purple Robin Reserve and the Lititz and Manheim Township public libraries and online at http://www.lititzchocolatewalk.com.

The Lititz Chocolate Walk is being hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Lititz, Wilbur Chocolate and Luther Acres Retirement Community and being sponsored by more than 20 local businesses, organizations and concerned citizens.

"We have a lot of people excited for the event," said Freeman. "People go to stop number one, sample what's being served there and then they're off to store number two. There's a bit of a treasure-hunt vibe to it. They have to find it and see what they're serving."

Some 30 downtown Lititz stores and stops make up the destinations along the Chocolate Walk. At each stop, walkers are treated to sweet or savory samples of unique Wilbur Chocolate delicacies invented and prepared by chefs, chocolatiers and candy makers - everything from ice cream, baked items and confections to pumpkin soup with chocolate ganache.

"It's all kinds of stuff," said Freeman. "If you tried eating a third of it, it would be way too much. Some of the treats are packaged so they can be taken with you. Every year, Wilbur creates something special for the Chocolate Walk."

Organizers of the Chocolate Walk are seeking to make $100,000 from the event. The proceeds will be donated to Schreiber Center for Pediatric Development, Lancaster Cleft Palate Clinic, the Lititz Public Library, the Manheim Township Public Library and other nonprofits that support children causes.

"Everybody has fun on Chocolate Walk day," said Freeman. "It's a fun, fun day and we raise a lot of money. If you ever walk about Lititz on Chocolate Walk day, you'll see a lot of smiling faces."

Even the greatest of Chocolate Walks began with a single step - in 2002, that was 13 downtown stores and $4,000 raised for children-oriented charities. Since its inception, the Lititz Chocolate Walk has donated $1.2 million to kids' causes.

"There are a lot of people putting a lot of effort into it," said Freeman. "It's definitely a tradition in Lititz. Lititz is a very vibrant town on a weekend night. Lititz is known as a foodie town, and I think the Chocolate Walk has played some part (in) that."

For additional information, dial 717-560-2295.