After a two-year absence, the United Methodist Church Chocolate Festival will return March 11, from 1 to 3 p.m. 

The last edition of the popular event took place just before the full force of the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020.

“It was March 7, 2020. God was good to us. He allowed us to get that in and by the next Friday everything was closed,” organizing committee chair Patsy Reese explained.

The very popular event is run by the church’s Women of Faith (formerly Oxford United Methodist Church Women’s Group) as a fund raiser for the group’s mission projects locally and abroad.  

“Everybody really looks forward to it,” Reese said.  “It’s a sweet way to spend a winter afternoon.”

There are three ways to participate in the Chocolate Festival. The tastiest way is to be a ticket purchaser. For just $5 you will receive 6 tickets. Walk through the fellowship hall and see all the taste temptations to choose from. Each ticket will get you one sample, such as a cookie or a slice of cake. Additional tickets may be purchased for $1 each. 

Due to health regulations, personal containers may not be brought into the event. Carry-out containers will be available at the ticket table.

Those who are interested in demonstrating how well they can cook or bake with chocolate can enter the competition for a chance to win a ribbon and recognition in one of six categories. Categories are: cakes/cupcakes; cookies; candy/fudge; brownies; and other deserts. There is also a category for children age 16 and under.

“We have quite a few children who like to bake,” Reese said.

To enter, simply bring your chocolate creation to the Oxford United Methodist Church fellowship hall on Sat.,  March 11 between  8:30 and 10 a.m. and register. There is no entry fee. All entries must have at least one ingredient that is chocolate. Entries must be submitted in a whole batch such as a whole cake, 18 cupcakes, 36 cookies, a pan of brownies, or a full batch of candy or fudge. Entries should be submitted in a disposable container. Plates can not be returned. Items should be submitted whole and uncut. Freezer products are not eligible.

Judging begins promptly at 10 a.m.. After the judging, entries will be cut into sample-size servings and included among the offerings presented to ticket purchasers. Awards will be presented at 2 p.m.  There will be first, second, and third place ribbons, plus honorable mention in each category. Overall best in show will receive a basket filled with chocolate-themed items. 

To help ensure that there will be enough items for ticket holders to choose from there is a third way to participate – by donating chocolate items to the festival. 

“If somebody would just like to bake and contribute, we accept any donations,” Reese said. “Sometimes you will have some people who like to bake, and want to donate but don’t want to have it judged.”

The Chocolate Festival is a fun day all around with additional features such as the kids’ cookie corner. “The kids love that. The church members make some cut-out cookies that the kids get to decorate and take home,” Reese said. 

There will also be contests – guess the number of pieces in a candy in a jar with the one who comes closest to the actual number winning the jar of candy,

There will also be an opportunity to pre-order and purchase the church’s very popular handmade Easter eggs.  The chocolate-coated and hand-decorated eggs come in four flavors, chocolate nut, peanut butter, butter cream and coconut cream. Eggs are $7 each. 

Oxford United Methodist Church is located at 18 Addison St., Oxford.