Satisfy your sweet tooth while supporting Mount Joy businesses during the Chocolate Walk and Wine Tasting from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 26, and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 27.

"People will purchase tickets and then come to the Main Street Mount Joy office to pick up an empty box," explained Dave Schell, executive director of Main Street Mount Joy. The office is located at 55 E. Main St. With their box, Chocolate Walk attendees will receive a map of locations that are participating in the event.

"They can go and get a piece of chocolate per location, and some places will also have wine tastings," Schell noted. "We are asking businesses to offer handmade chocolate. We're looking to give out homemade or high-end purchased chocolates."

Local wineries will be offering samples at some businesses as well. Participants who want to sample wine must be at least 21 years of age and must show ID at each location, Schell said.

Tickets to the event will be sold online through Main Street Mount Joy's website and Facebook page, and tickets are limited. "We want to keep it to a limited number to encourage social distancing," Schell explained.

The walk has been held for more than 15 years and benefits Main Street Mount Joy. "The proceeds help us run our organization and help promote the downtown area," Schell stated. "We also do it every year as a nice option to bring people outside in the winter and into our stores."

It's also a great way to fulfill a craving for chocolate, he said, adding, "Last year, we had approximately 22 places offer chocolate. People will leave with a full box of chocolate. ... A ticket to this makes a great late Valentine's Day gift, too."

Schell said the event not only raises money, but also raises awareness of all the businesses that call Mount Joy home.

"It's a low-cost way to come out, have some fun, introduce yourself to a lot of different people and check out different places in downtown Mount Joy," he remarked. "It's just fun."

For more information on the Chocolate Walk and Wine Tasting or to purchase tickets, readers may visit https://mainstreetmountjoy.com or http://www.facebook.com/MainStreetMountJoy.