Chocolate Tasting Tour with 15+ shops participating at Country Village in Bothell - Saturday, February 7th 2015 from 2-6pm

All I can say is YUM!

" Its the best pre-Valentine occasion: our 4th annual Chocolate Tasting Tour! Browse through 15+ shops for the perfect token of your affection. Taste, buy and treat yourself to everything chocolate! 

From chocolate truffles to gluten-free chocolate, there’s something for everyone! "

Its the best pre-Valentine occasion: our 4th annual Chocolate Tasting Tour! Browse through 15+ shops for the perfect token of your affection. Taste, buy and treat yourself to everything chocolate! 

MAP PICK UP LOCATIONS:

Infused, Jantee Bistro & Bottle Shop, Life Solutions & Whitehouse Antiques

Stop by the following shops for your special, complimentary chocolate tasting:

An Afternoon to Remember	Chocolate Teas
Brownies Burrow	Chocolate Covered Pretzels
Chic Boatique	Seattle Chocolate Truffles
Country Blend	Brownies
Cranberry Cottage	Luv Macarons
Heartland Interiors	Dark Chocolate Acai Berries
Infused	Gluten free cupcakes with chocolate coconut whipped frosting, gluten free truffle brownie, double chocolate mint cookies, Indulgent Confections chocolate candies.
Jantee Bistro	ChocMo dark chocolate bar, white chocolate bar, dark chocolate covered caramel, wine parings
Kate Quinn Organics	Theo's Organic Fair Trade
Keepsake Cottage	See's Candy
Life Solutions	Chocolate Decadence cake, Chocolate Raspberry tea
O'Malley & Potter	Rakka Raw Chocolate Bars
Quite the Find	Chocolate peanut clusters
Tiffany Ann Home	Gluten Free Chocolates
Toys That Teach	Chocolate ganache truffle
Village Eatery	Smudge Bars / Mocha Bars - Chocolate brownie with walnuts and topped with either marshmallow cream and fudge or Coffee chocolate butter frosting
White House Antiques	Sugar Free Chocolate & assorted chocolates

For more info. go here.

Celebration of Food Festival 2014 - A real food movement celebration with demos, activities, a kids food station and a lot more at the Lynnwood Convention Center - Sunday May 18th 2014 from 11am-4pm

Go and learn or relearn what real food is!!

" Food Revolution Snohomish County, a movement aimed at encouraging growing, cooking, preserving, and eating real healthy food, brings this unique community event to Snohomish County.

A free, family event where you can taste, explore, and experience real food.

• Food — Free samples, demos, displays, and items for purchase (see list of vendors below).
• Gardening — Demos, displays, and activities by farm and garden professionals will show how to grow your own food and where to purchase locally grown food.
• Resources — Experts, displays, books, and resources will be available for children and adults to learn everything about growing to cooking to preserving food. "

Highlights include:

Cooking Demonstrations

Presentation Line-up

Kids Food Station

Children's Reading Tent

Celebrate Your Preserves Contest

About the Kids Food Station:

" Children and youth are welcome to join this hands-on activity and make healthy, yummy snacks. From 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m., we will offer "kits" where kids can make one of the three snacks. This activity will also offer skill stations where kids are welcome to learn kitchen skills such as measuring, whisking, folding, cutting, etc. Details about the snacks to come. "

For more info. go here.

2nd Annual Health and Fitness Expo with bike rodeo, obstacle course, info. booths, sports clinics and more in Edmonds - Saturday, May 17th 2014 from 9-11:30am

For more info. go here.

VegFest with kids entertainment and more in Seattle - Saturday and Sunday, March 29th and 30th 2014 from 10am-6pm both days! - "Less than a Latte" each when you split the difference since kids 12 and under are free!

A Healthy Vegetarian Food Festival March 29 and 30, 2014 10am-6pm

Seattle Center's Exhibition Hall Adults - $8, Kids 12 and under - Free                                               ********Tickets available at the door cash or checks only for admission)********  At our annual healthy vegetarian food festival you can: Taste free food samples, over 700 different kinds to try See cooking demonstrations by chefs from all over the country;

Hear the latest information on nutrition from our medical doctors;

Receive free health checks, and even artery scans. Limited availability – first come first served.

Join Vegetarians of Washington at Vegfest to receive a free deluxe tote bag filled with free food and coupons.

Choose from a huge selection of books;

and more!

" Many people recognize the health and other benefits of vegetarian food choices, but they are not sure what to eat, what to buy and how to cook it. This festival provides all the support that people need, and it's fun too. With free health screenings, books and lots of food, there's something for everyone. There’s even a special kids section where kids can learn about healthy food while having fun, with clowns, face painting and more. "

For more info. go here.

Free 3rd Annual Chocolate Tasting Tour (20+ places!) at Country Village in Bothell - Saturday, February 8th 2014 from 2-6pm - Yes, FREE!

Uh, yeah...just twist my arm on this one!

" Its the best pre-Valentine occasion: our 3rd annual Chocolate Tasting Tour!  Browse through 20+ shops for the perfect token of your affection & taste a variety of FREE Chocolates at each stop. "

All images courtesy of Country Village

For more info. go here.

13 Halloween Happenings at local malls and IKEA! - Thursday, October 31st 2013 - Various locations and times

Bellevue Square's Halloween Family Fun Fest 5-7pm

Trick-or-Treating Visit participating merchants throughout The Bellevue Collection to receive sweet treats and other goblin goodies!
Balloon-Tying Clowns Say hello to any of the roving clowns throughout Bellevue Square & have them make a special balloon creation!
Mad Science Booth
Children can explore their favorite mad science experiments including slime & dry ice at the booth located on the 2nd level, outside J.Jill!
Take Your Own Photo Booth Be sure to bring your own camera and take your photo at any of the four booths located near Escape Outdoors, Talbots (2nd level), Macy’s and Hollister!
Live Performances by Brian Vogan Their Halloween performance will be in Bellevue Square Center Court.  Dance-friendly costumes highly recommended!  Catch a show at 5 pm and 6 pm.

Info. here.



MarketPlace at Factoria's Halloween with Radio Disney 3:30-5:30pm

Trick 'r Treat mall merchants and enjoy music, games & prizes with Radio Disney.

Info. here.



Country Village's Safe Halloween 4-6pm

Come in costume to Country Village and enjoy a fun, family-filled, SAFE Trick-or-Treating experience! From 4-6pm participating shops will offer treats to your little ghouls, ghosts, witches and chickens!

Info. here. 



Third Place Books' Community Halloween Party at the Town Center at Lake Forest Park 4-8pm

4-6pm Trick or Treat at participating Town Center merchants. Look for balloons outside participating stores.

6:30-8pm
Celebrate an uncommonly fun Halloween at Third Place Commons! Musician Eli Rosenblatt plays his characteristic high-energy tunes while kids and parents dance together. Activities tables invite participants of All ages to create fall wreaths, decorate masks, and have their faces painted. Plus there will be costume contests, games and more treats!
All ages. FREE

Info. here.



Alderwood Mall's Trick or Treating - October 31st 2013 - various stores various times - see list on their site.

Info. here.



Southcenter Mall's "Spooktacular Trick-or-Treating!" at 5pm

Stay warm and dry! Bring your little ghosts and goblins to Southcenter for trick-or-treating at participating retailers while supplies last.

Take your photo in front of our step and repeat near The Disney Store and tweet it with @WestfieldSC and #TweetAndTreat for your chance to win a $50 Westfield gift card!

While supplies last, at participating retailers.

Info. here.



Northgate Mall's Trick or Treat - 4-8pm

Safe, weather-proof trick-or-treating at Northgate Mall! Satisfy sweet tooths and capture sweet memories! Professional photos will be available for purchase!

Info. here.

Mill Creek Town Center's "Treats on Main Street"4:30-6:30pm

Bring the family to the Mill Creek Town Center and trick or treat at participating businesses from 4:30 – 6:30pm. 

After Treats on Main Street, head one block south to the "Trunk or Treat" event at City Hall for more Halloween fun!

Info. here.



Crossroads Mall 5-8pm

Ko Ko Jo will be on stage. Costumed characters available for photo ops and there will also be professional photographers, plus Trick or Treating!

Info. here.

Redmond Town Center's "HOWL" -O-WEEN 4-7PM

Get no tricks! Just treats from participating stores!
Plus, take a Halloween photo with your pet to benefit local non-profit, Reading with Rover.

Info. here.



University Village's Trick or Treat 4-6pm

Join us for free trick-or-treating around University Village from 4:00 – 6:00 pm on Thursday, October 31! Visit our stores and restaurants for treats, samples and more! For children 11 years of age and under. 

Info. here. 



Gilman Village's Trick or Treating 4-6pm

Gilman Village will again have Trick or Treating for children up to 12 years old on Halloween Thursday, Oct. 31st. Trick or Treating will be from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at participating stores.

Info. here. 



IKEA'S Trick or Treat Spooktacular 3-7pm (site says 2012 but it is this year's event)

Bring your little ghouls and goblins to IKEA Seattle for trick or treating. There will be special prizes waiting at different locations throughout the store. Event will last until 7pm or until supplies run out.  

Info. here.

   


 
 

 

 

4-6 pm Trick-or-Treat at participating Town Center merchants.  Look for balloons outside participating stores.  - See more at: http://www.thirdplacebooks.com/event/community-halloween-party#sthash.qbwmvdib.dpuf

Celebrate at Third Place and the Town Center at Lake Forest PArk.
 
4-6 pm Trick-or-Treat at participating Town Center merchants.  Look for balloons outside participating stores. 
 
6:30 - 8 pm Party in the Commons!  Eli Rosenblatt takes the stage to entertain with lively music and dance.  Costume contests, games, crafts, and of course, more treats!  This is an Arts Crush North featured event. 
- See more at: http://www.thirdplacebooks.com/event/community-halloween-party#sthash.qbwmvdib.dpuf

"2013 Trick or Treat on the Waterfront" plus Seattle Fire Dept. Show and Tell and giveaways too in Seattle - Sunday, October 27th 2013 from 11am-5pm

" Bring your little ghouls and goblins to Downtown Seattle’s Waterfront to trick-or-treat at participating businesses from the Ferry Terminal to the Old Spaghetti Factory.

Also, note that Victoria Clipper (pier 69) has just been added as a Trick or Treat stop!

The Seattle Fire Department is scheduled for a show and tell with the fire apparatus and handing out candy and Honest Tea will be providing free samples of their Honestkids® fruit drinks and fun games all at Waterfront Park/Pier 58, 1301 Alaskan Way.

A Treasure Map indicating the trick or treat stops will be handed out at the participating locations or you can print your own at home. "

FREE event is located at:

Waterfront Park/Pier 58 at 1301 Alaskan Way.

For more info. go here and here.

Be Well Washington Health Fair with lots of free family activities, services and more at CenturyLink Field in Seattle - Saturday, October 12th 2013 from 10am-2pm

Great event with free services, performances, activities and giveaways including a free book kids can pick out! 

" Join us for a day of free, family friendly activities at CenturyLink Field! It's all part of our commitment to educate Washington residents about a healthy lifestyle. In addition to exhibits from local health and wellness organizations, you won't want to miss this exciting line up of free activities and entertainment! "

Free admission and free parking!

Free Activities Schedule:

10:00am - 11:00am	Seattle Fire Department Engine No. 10 Get the chance to see a real fire truck up-close!
10:00am - 2:00pm	Healthy Cooking Demonstrations Pick up tips to prepare healthy meals that the entire family will love! Live demos, free recipes and samples!
10:00am - 2:00pm	Build and Grow kits with Lowes Kids are invited to participate in a Build and Grow clinic by Lowes.
10:00am - 2:00pm	Face Painters
10:00am - 2:00pm	Balloon Artists
10:00am - 2:00pm	Reptile Man Come on out and hang out with some cool reptiles!
10:00am - 2:00pm	Free Hair Cuts
10:00am - 2:00pm	Free Hand Massages
10:00am - 2:00pm	Free CPR Lessons Learn the basics of how to properly administer CPR.
10:00am - 2:00pm	Free Child-Safety-Kits Make a child-safety-kit in addition to child fingerprinting so parents have the child's information on hand in case of an emergency!
10:00am - 2:00pm	Free Health Screenings Blood pressure checks, glucose checks, fitness assessments, hearing screenings, BMI analysis, metabolism analysis, and posture screenings.
12:00pm - 1:00pm	Hot Dog USA Jump Roping Team A competitive jump rope team that will knock your socks off!
11:00am - 1:00pm	The SeaGals Performances and autographs from your favorite SeaGals. 11:00am – Dance performance 11:30am – "Clinic" / Show attendees how to perform dance moves 12:00 - 1:00pm – Photos and autographs
11:00am - 1:00pm	Blitz Get your picture taken with the official Seattle Seahawks mascot!

For more info. go here. 

 

Zerolandfill Seattle Upcycle Event offers free design sample materials and more for artists, educators, crafters and more to upcycle! - Sunday, September 29th 2013 from 10am-1pm

Image courtesy of Zerolandfill Seattle

 
Save the landfill and make something beautiful and useful out of some great and free materials!

Make sure to bring bags or boxes to carry your free materials home!

Some common  materials offered include:

• Carpet Tiles and Books
• Paint Decks and Laminate Chips
• Upholstery Swatches and Memos
• Vinyl and Rubber Flooring Samples
• Tile and Stone Samples
• Wallcovering Books and Memos
• Glass and Metal Samples
• Three Ring Binders, Paper Sample
• Books, Stock Photo Books
• and more!

For more info. go here.

2nd Annual "Sustainamania" with kids activities and more in Bothell - Saturday, June 1st 2013 from 9:30am-2pm

Special Features:

• Bouncy House for little kids
• Touch a Truck allows kids of all sizes and ages (even grown ups) to see Public Works equipment up close.  You can even talk to staff about programs and services offered by Public Works
• Planting for visitors of all ages (get a start to gardening by planting on site and seeing samples of things you can create)
• and a lot more!

For more info. go here.

The Evergreen State Spring Festival in Monroe - Saturday and Sunday, April 27th and 28th 2013 - Various hours

Some things free, some things for a fee.


FREE event admission, Only $5 public parking

 Festival Hours:

Saturday, April 27, 10am-8pm

Sunday, April 28, 10am-5pm

  

Carnival Hours:

Friday, April 26, 4pm-10pm

Saturday, April 27, 11am-10pm

             Sunday, April 28, 11am-5pm         

1. "Gardening with Ciscoe" sponsored by on Saturday - FREE!
   
2. Youth fish for trout in the Trout Pond - FREE!
   
3. Roving entertainment
4. BBQ Sampling; mixes, spice dips & puffed popcorn sampling
   
5. Try out side-by-side racing on the Evergreen Speedway's Simulator - FREE!
   
6. Live music, food & drink from our root beer garden (for the kid in you) or our beer garden (for the adult in you)!
   
7. 4-H tractor demonstrations -FREE!
   
8. Face painting & balloon twisting - FREE!
   
9. Flower displays and gardening answers by Master Gardeners
   
10. Three days to enjoy carnival rides
    
11. Things to do in your own backyard
    
12. Over 100 Arts & crafts, jewelry, gardening, landscaping, cooking, and health  vendors
    
13. 4-H Horse Show
    
14. Sky Valley Swap Meet
    
15. Western Heritage Museum
    
16. Did we mention BBQ sampling?

 
 
For more info. go here.

 

 

   

Vegfest at Seattle Center's Exhibition Hall - Saturday and Sunday, March 23rd and 24th 2013 from 10am-6pm - "Less than a Latte" each for a family of 4 with kids 12 and under FREE!

A Healthy Vegetarian Food Festival
March 23 and 24, 10am-6pm

         

At their annual healthy vegetarian food festival you can:

• Taste free food samples, over 500 different kinds to try
  
  
• See cooking demonstrations by chefs from all over the country

• Hear the latest information on nutrition from our medical doctors
   
  
• Receive free health checks, including cholesterol, blood pressure, and glucose tests and even artery scans. Limited availability – first come first served.
   
• Join Vegetarians of Washington at Vegfest to receive a free deluxe tote bag filled with free food and coupons.
   
• Choose from a huge selection of books

" Many people recognize the health and other benefits of vegetarian food choices, but they are not sure what to eat, what to buy and how to cook it. This festival provides all the support that people need, and it's fun too. With free health screenings, books and lots of food, there's something for everyone. There’s even a special kids section where kids can learn about healthy food while having fun, with clowns, face painting and more.

This year, we are delighted to feature the clowns Zero and Somebuddy continuously throughout the whole weekend. They’re even giving special kids’ shows, encouraging kids to eat healthy food, on our Kids stage twice each day. "

Adults - $8, Kids 12 and under - Free
Tickets available at the door

For more info. go here.

Snoqualmie Ice Cream presents the 2nd Annual ICE CREAM-O-RAMA -Saturday, August 11th 2012 from 11am-4pm

• Enjoy free ice cream and hot dogs
• Dance to music from 12 pm - 4 pm
• Face painting from 12 pm - 4 pm
• Take tours of our creamery and our mini-farm 
• Learn about our commitment to sustainability
• Enjoy drinks & doughnuts from Top Pot Doughnuts
• Try samples of Top Pot Doughnut's new doughnut inspired ice cream flavors
• Register to win a 1.5 gallon tub of ice cream, gelato or custard of your choice
• and more!

For more info. go here.

Safe and Sound - A Circus-Themed Safety Event in Sammamish - Tuesday, August 7th 2012 from 2-5pm

Learn some circus skills while you find out all about safety!

" This year’s event features an interactive workshop with Circus Cascadia from Portland, Oregon. From pole balancers to stilt walkers, see amazing circus acts and try your hand at hulahoops or spinning plates, with the help of real circus artists! Enjoy a visit from PCC Kids Picks and don’t forget the free hot dogs. "


For more info. go here.

Bite of Seattle at Seattle Center - Friday, July 20th through Sunday, July 22nd 2012 from 11am-9pm ('til 8pm on Sunday!)

If you are a foodie, you will love this especially Tom Douglas' The Alley with their gourmet bites. And if you are not a foodie, you will still love this with all of its entertainment! Some things free, some things for a fee.

Features:

• Over 50 Restaurants Participating 
• 30 Food Product Booths
• Eight Live Music & Entertainment Stages
• Family Fun Zone and more!
• Cooking Demos
• Cooking Competition with Top Seattle Chefs  
• Comedy Club
• Beer and Wine Gardens/Tastings
• Free Movie with free popcorn and more!
• Hand-crafted Artisan Booths
• and more!

For more info. go here.

Seattle Cheese Festival at Pike Place Market - Saturday and Sunday, May 19th and 20th 2012 from 10am-4pm ('til 5pm on Saturday!)

 

For all you cheese lovers - This is the event for you! All weekend long at Pike Place Market will be the 8th Annual Seattle Cheese Festival. Enjoy the great cheeses from around the world and locally too! Some will be paired with gourmet bread, preserves, and crackers. Yum.

Stroll along the cobbled street temporarily turned into "Cheese Heaven" and sample all kinds of exquisite cheeses. Plus, there will be seminars, chef demos, a wine garden and more!

While not primarily for kids, if your kids like cheese at all they might find this fun. We took our guy last year when he was two and he had fun sampling all of the cheeses! Plus, you can check out the market itself and see Rachel the Pig (the big piggy bank) and the guys that throw the fish and more!





For more info. go here.

Meet Dani Cone - Author of "Cutie Pies: 40 Sweet, Savory and Adorable Recipes" and sample some recipes too at the Elliott Bay Book Company in Seattle - Sunday, November 13th at 1pm

 
Dani Cone - local owner of Fuel Coffee and High Five Pie will be showcasing her new recipe book "Cutie Pies: 40 Sweet, Savory and Adorable Recipes" at The Elliot Bay Book Company. She will be holding a question and answer period too and I believe will be bringing some sweets to sample! - Yum! You know, those cute little pies that are becoming so popular right now.
 

For more info. go here or here.

Need A Chocolate Fix?...

...Sample some chocolate!

Chocolopolis on Queen Anne hosts a free Chocolate, that's right, Chocolate Happy Hour every Thursday night from 5-9pm and kids are welcome to join in! You can sample single-origin chocolate (usually 5 different ones from an origin/region) and they rotate the theme each week so over time you can try a sampling from their stock from over 140 different chocolate producers. This week (October 20th) they will actually be sampling their own homemade artisan chocolates! These events are free and for "Less than a Latte" you can purchase single pieces of chocolate (try the turtle shaped chocolate with caramel filling - YUM!), Hot Chocolate (for both adults and kids), homemade marshmallows or chocolate covered marshmallow and more.

For more on Chocolopolis' Happy Hour go here.  (Also, check out their frequent "Bar"-er program!)


Theo Chocolate resides in Fremont in the old Redhook Brewery

building and states that they are "proud to be the only organic, fair trade, bean-to-bar chocolate factory in the United States". The retail store is open 7 days a week from 10am-6pm and has tons of samples available of most of their chocolates! I LOVE the Hazelnut Crunch and for "Less than a Latte" pick up a bar whenever I can! They also have chocolate factory tours available for about $6 that includes all kinds of chocolate sampling but they do fill up quickly and you need to book the tour 3 to 4 weeks in advance.

For more info. on Theo Chocolate go here.

I am sure all of you are familiar with Godiva Chocolates, but did you know you can get a free chocolate (no purchase necessary) every month with their rewards card? They even send an email at the end of every month to remind you to go get your free chocolate! Yes, it is a good marketing tactic!

For more info. on Godiva Rewards go here.

(All individual chocolate images courtesy of Godiva.)


Just curious, what's your favorite chocolate?