The winter weather is taking its toll on everyone’s moods, but the people behind Main Street Kent think they have a solution.

On Saturday, Feb. 15 from 2-5 p.m., the non-profit organization is hosting its annual Chocolate Walk around downtown Kent, with more than 25 local businesses participating.

People participating in the Chocolate Walk will receive a goodie-bag and map, with the event beginning at the Earl’s Nest in Acorn Alley. The map will tell them where the participating businesses are located. They will then go from store to store collecting a chocolate piece at each location.

According to the website, the adult trick-or-treat-like event is sold out this year, with 200 people participating in the walk. Advanced ticket sales took place at $20 a piece.

“This is just such a good cause and it’s great to see that people are so willing to participate in something like this,” said Gwen Rosenberg of Popped! in downtown Kent. “It serves a dual purpose: people get have a good time and helps us show off new products while still supporting the community.”

With the Chocolate Walk taking place during Valentine’s Day weekend, it is the perfect thing to do for the occasion and a way get out of the house if you were lucky enough to snag a ticket.

“The weather’s been so brutal and I think it’s a great opportunity for people to just get out of the house,” Rosenberg said. “Plus going around and getting chocolate on Valentine’s Day? It’s practically perfect.”

Popped! is serving caramel clusters as its chocolate item. The clusters of caramel popcorn have chocolate drizzled all over them.

“We’re also helping out our friends over at Bent Tree,” Rosenberg said. “Their item will be coffee toffee, which is just a toffee bar covered in dark chocolate, but it’s really, really good.”

Of course Popped! is just one of the many downtown venues with chocolaty morsels in the walk. Other participating locations include: Baked in the Village Café, Bar 145, Belleria Pizza & Italian Restaurant, Bent Tree Coffee Roasters, Carnaby Street Style, Downtown Gallery, Empire, Fashion School Store, FJ Kluth Art Gallery, Gracylane, H.O.M.E. International Markets, hOur Share Exchange Center – Kent Community TimeBank, Kent Cycle, Laziza Mediterranean Restaurant, McKay Bricker Framing & Black Squirrel Gifts, Off the Wagon, Pita Pit, Popped!, Pufferbelly, Ray’s Place, Rise & Shine Cafe, Rush – Dino Palmieri Salon, Scribbles, Secret Cellar, Standing Rock Jewelers, Sue Nelson Designs, Taco Tonto’s, The Market Path, Tree City Coffee & Pastry, Troy Grille and Wild Earth Outfitters.

Contact Katherine Nix at [email protected]