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Chocolate, chocolate, and more chocolate. The fourth annual Chocolate Lovers Festival kicks off the season as the most attended benefit event in Eureka Springs.

The festival will be from 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Feb. 16 at the Inn of the Ozarks Convention Center. The entire convention space will feature free samples of chocolate in its many forms along with white and milk chocolate fountains. Vendors will be on site for additional sampling as well as offering chocolate-related gift items for sale.

The festival will continue to feature several "best of" contests. Competitors may submit entries in amateur and professional categories. Contests include decorated cakes, best recipe cakes, sculptures and best use of chocolate as a non-food item. The Web site at www.eurekachocfest.com offers contest details, entry fees and prize amounts. Teams of independent judges will make award decisions on Feb. 15.

The cost for tickets to the festival is $12 for adults and $6 for youth age 12 and under. Tickets are available in advance as well as at the door.

For more information, call 479-253-7888 or toll-free 888-559-9914, or e-mail steven@clearspringschool.org.

The Chocolate Lovers Festival is produced by and benefits Clear Spring School, a nonprofit, independent school in Eureka Springs. Established in 1974, Clear Spring School serves students from pre-primary through the 12th grade with a hands-on approach to education.