The 29th Annual Harry K Foundation Chocolate Festival was held March 9 at the Atlantic Sands Hotel and Conference Center in Rehoboth Beach.

Local restaurants and bakers filled the Swan Ballroom with unique and traditional chocolate goodies. The competition was split into eight categories: brownie, cake, candy, cookie, pie and fudge items, ice cream, other, showpiece and Best of the Best.

Chocolate-lovers came through the various stations in four different time frames and filled their containers with their favorite treats. Over the years, the chocolate festival has evolved from a contest to a restaurant promotion.

All proceeds from this event will go directly to feeding hungry children throughout Delaware, through the Harry K Foundation’s School Food Pantries, Backpack Program and Baby Pantry.

The Harry K Foundation now has 40 food pantries in schools across the state, 650 backpacks that are sent home with students on weekends, and is also collaborating with the Department of Education to reduce bills for those whose income is just above the free school meal program level.

The Harry K. Foundation is determined to end childhood hunger in The First State one child at a time. No child should know the pain of hunger. Your participation in the Green Turtle 5K race makes strides in feeding the needy as the Harry K. Foundation Halts Childhood Hunger right here in our backyard. To find out how you can Make a Difference and Help Harry Halt Hunger. $105 supports 1 pantry per week $168 supports 1 backpack for a whole year

In 1990, Patty was the 1991 Rehoboth Beach Centennial Chairman appointed by the Mayor and was on the board of the Downtown Business Association (now Main Street Rehoboth). Twelve events were planned for the centennial year, one for each month. Just before the 1991 Centennial was to begin, Patty, her husband and two friends were leaving for vacation in Hawaii and Tahoe when the Possum Players cancelled their performance of "A History of Rehoboth Beach" due to a death in the family. A replacement event was needed. Patty put the printing of the Centennial brochures on hold until her return. While in Tahoe, Patty's friend Cindy DelCampo, a self-confessed chocoholic, saw an ad for a Chocolate Festival and dragged Patty along. There were no tickets available but they managed to meet the man in charge and he let them in. Thinking this might be a possible replacement event for the Centennial, they talked to him at length about the logistics of putting on the festival. When she returned to Rehoboth Beach, Patty took the Chocolate Festival idea back to the committee and it was approved. Knowing she would need numerous volunteers, Patty, being a VIA member, appealed to the VIA. Of course, the VIA members were there to help. The Chocolate Festival was so successful that it has been held annually. The one thing that has been consistent each year is the support of the VIA. Over the years, the Chocolate Festival has evolved from a contest to a restaurant promotion. All proceeds from this wonderful event will go directly feeding hungry children throughout the state of Delaware through the Harry K Foundation School Food Pantries, Backpack Program and the Baby Pantry.