Hundreds delight in Cd'A's 'The Chocolate Affair'

COEUR d'ALENE — A pleasantly sweet aroma filled The Coeur d'Alene Resort Plaza Shops Friday evening as chocolate flowed from fountains like a Willy Wonka wonderland.

The Chocolate Affair, presented by the Coeur d'Alene Downtown Association, attracted hundreds of chocolate connoisseurs to 30 different locations in downtown Coeur d'Alene where guests treated their tastebuds to a variety of chocolaty treats.

Gonzaga student Nick Panelli enjoyed chocolate-covered doughnut bites, conveniently speared on kebab sticks for dunking into the chocolate waterfalls.

"It's a little messy, but really good," he said. "I'm a huge sweets fan and junk food I find very good."

Panelli enjoyed The Chocolate Affair with a group of friends. It was the first time many of them experienced the event.

"I think it's really nice," he said. "Coeur d'Alene's a really cool area."

His friend, Mariah Strykers, also a Gonzaga student, giggled as she nibbled on her chocolate- covered goodies. She said Valentine's Day and chocolate are meant for each other because "chocolate's sweet, just like the feelings people have for each other."

Pink balloons marked the entrances to businesses where Chocolate Affair samples could be found, including Shenanigan's Toy Emporium and Sweet Shop. Employee Keely Brennan said they were expecting to see at least 600 people come through.

"Today, we're serving dark chocolate and milk chocolate huckleberry truffles," she said, gesturing to an impressive spread of decadent morsels. "And dark chocolate and milk chocolate cake delights, those are super good."

She said she enjoys The Chocolate Affair because of the social interaction and the joy it brings to others.

"It's just great to put smiles on people's faces with chocolate," she said.

As for Valentine's Day and chocolate, Brennan's coworker Natalie Horn has a theory.

"Chocolate's really romantic because it gets you into the mood," she said with a smile. "And it's so much fun seeing all these different people come in. I honestly love chocolate too, so I just like seeing all these other people that love chocolate. And giving out free samples is awesome."