The weather was mild with highs near 60 degrees for the Brown County Humane Society’s 2015 Chocolate Walk.
After purchasing a $20 ticket, hundreds of people munched on chocolate covered jerky, sea salt chocolate caramels, ice cream scoops, chocolate covered popcorn, chocolate cake, brownies and other cocoa-y foods.
Some of the stores got more creative with their offerings. The Ethereal Day Spa made an edible chocolate face scrub and one winery offered a raspberry chocolate wine.
At Touch of Silver, Gold and Old, Chef Stetson, a dog dressed in an apron and chef’s hat, greeted visitors with a wagging tail.
Stetson isn’t the only local canine who likes to wear human clothes. One store on the walk, “All About Dogs” is entirely devoted to selling handmade dog clothing like coats and pajamas.
All proceeds from the benefit will go toward helping homeless pets in Brown County.
Last year the county’s humane society took in more than 600 homeless animals, according to the Chocolate Walk’s Facebook page. That brought their “Pets Saved Rate” to 98 percent for 2014.
In the event’s eighth year, organizers were able to sell 1,250 tickets.
The Chocolate Walk was put on with the help of about 70 volunteers, 14 of whom are members of the IU Animal Club, according to Erika Imhoof, the volunteer coordinator and communications manager for the event.
“This event is made particularly friendly due to the volunteers, and it was great to have the help of IU students,” said Jane Weatherford, the treasurer at the animal shelter.
With the support of the local stores, which donated their chocolate samples for free, the event was able to raise enough money cover the cost of operating the shelter for a little more than one month.
Annie Garau
