Fairbanks home to Chocolate Bash: this sumptuous event, held April 2, draws those with a sweet tooth and love of art.

• Author: Pilkington, Steve
• Position: Alaska This Month

Chocolate lovers may not be the most outspoken advocacy group-their mouths, afterall, are occupied with other pursuits. It is, however, a sure bet when they get together to celebrate, the words indulgence, sumptuous and sweet are heard often and openly. Just ask anyone who has sampled the wares of the annual Chocolate Bash in Fairbanks.

"The evening is a two-and-a-half- to three hour chocolate lest," said Kerynn Fisher, communications coordinator for the University of Alaska Museum of the North. "This will be the 19th year we've done it. It has become immensely popular."

If you happen to be a chocoholic and an art lover, the annual Chocolate Bash is a rare treat indeed. There are special drinks, entertainment and wonders to see all surrounded by treats like liqueur-injected strawberries, white chocolate mousse tarts and mini-cheesecakes. Local restaurants and caterers provide the culinary delights.

All proceeds from the evening benefit the Museum Endowment Fund, which supports acquisitions, field research, exhibits and educational programs, and provides matching funds to secure outside grants for the museum. The event in the past has drawn more than 300 guests and has annually raised more than $20,000 for the endowment fund. Normally, the bash takes place inside the museum, offering indulgences for the eyes and mind as well as the palate. But since the museum has been undergoing a lengthy expansion, the bash has had to adapt.

This year, the Chocolate Bash is scheduled April 2 and will run from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Tanana Valley Campus Center under the theme "Sparkle and Shine-A Chocolate Skyline." When the new wing is opened this September, the bash will return to its home and again bring...