The sweet smell of chocolate and the promise of unique treats and experiences drew a crowd to downtown Valparaiso Saturday.
Hundreds of purple bags lined the streets, symbolizing participation in the sold-out event. Families, couples and friend groups made plans in advance and bought online tickets to experience all things chocolate.
The 11th Annual Chocolate Walk took place on Saturday with 400 attendees and 35 businesses participating as stops along the route. It is a self-led walking tour of downtown, enjoying chocolate treats, giveaways and store discounts and specials along the way.
“Chocolate Walk is an event that was organized in an effort to support and bring community awareness to a thriving downtown Valparaiso and the amazing retailers, restaurants and businesses that populate the streets,” said Jessica Fox, events and marketing manager for Valparaiso Events.
“This aligns directly with our non-profit’s mission to support the downtown Valparaiso business district through downtown business initiatives like the Chocolate Walk,” said Fox.
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Sisters Kathy Hartman and Patti Froedge, both of Valparaiso, were attending their second Chocolate Walk.
“This sells out in a couple of hours, so we made sure to get our tickets,” said Hartman.
“It is nice to see all the new businesses,” said Froedge. “It’s not just chocolate treats. There’s lip balm, coffee, and last year there were even frozen chocolate bananas.”
“This is great because we can see all the different businesses and plan outings around places we have not been,” said Tracy Betustak, of Valparaiso, attending the event with friend Stephanie McJunkin.
“This event invites the community to have an experiential day in downtown Valpo with not only chocolate,” said Fox. “This event benefits both the Valparaiso community and downtown business community by giving community members a firsthand look at what amazing businesses are right around the corner.”
Julie Sopota is the owner of a new downtown store, Marvel Us Furniture, which opened during Christmas 2025 and specializes in Indiana-made upholstery.
At the back of her store, Sopota made a huge buffet table full of chocolate items for her first participation in the Chocolate Walk.
“I have chocolate bark, chocolate milk, chocolate parfaits, and even a family recipe for chocolate mousse,” said Sopota.
Indie Indie Bang Bang, a gift and accessory store, was offering chocolate-covered caramels and a coupon good for the day in the store. “The company is called Mouth Party, and it is a female-owned company,” said co-owner Christopher Jaroscak.
Down the street, Lifestyles, another gift and accessory store, was offering chocolate-covered pretzels from local company Albanese Confections, as well as a coupon for purchases.
“It’s been busy today,” said owner Stacie Schuster. “This event brings in new people; they come and don’t realize all the stores that are downtown.”
Five friends from Munster made the plans, coordinated ticket purchases, and took the trip to Valpo so they could enjoy the Chocolate Walk together.
“Everything is so quaint and it is fun to visit the different stores and look at things,” said Liz Newell. “You can try on clothes, smell a candle, or eat chocolate-covered bacon.”
“I didn’t explore Valpo like I should have,” said Newell. “This is a great way to see everything.”
“You feel our economic impact when we come here,” said Dionne Hulsey. “This is like adult trick-or-treating day.”
Valparaiso Events will sponsor another event in October, similar to the Chocolate Walk, but featuring fall-themed treats. The Autumn Promenade will take place Oct. 17, and tickets go on sale Aug. 26. For more information, visit www.valparaisoevents.com.
Deena Butterfield is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.