[vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Let me start out by saying that if you have never attended the Chocolate & Wine Festival held each year in Montrose, Pa, you are seriously missing out. This was my first year attending and I’m already looking forward to next year.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]The event is the epitome of a community event – the planning & coordination is all done by a volunteer board of individuals around the community, event day is run entirely by volunteers ranging from business owners to high school baseball teams and all proceeds are split between two community gems: the Susquehanna County Library and the new Endless Mountains Health System hospital.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]This year kicked off with a first for the Festival: a rib cookoff with at least ten teams vying for the title of the best ribs. Luckily, Cabot has some experience competing in cookoffs, so we entered with this beast of a grill:[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_single_image css_animation=”” image=”610″ border_color=”” img_link_large=”” link=”http://cabotsusq.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/cog20120519054-xl.jpg” img_link_target=”_self” img_size=”medium”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]All of the teams entered had a slightly different take on the perfect rib, and all of them tasted wonderful. Over the next few hours the ribs were free for the public to taste and vote on as vendor setup continued for the kickoff of the Festival.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]And although Cabot was not voted to have the best ribs by the crowd, we are all extremely proud of the Endless Mountains Health System team that took their well-deserved first place prize of $700 and contributed to the Cabot/EMHS Match Fund for the new hospital.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]*Shameless plug: If you haven’t donated to the Match Fund yet, be sure to do so. Every dollar donated will be MATCHED by Cabot!*[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]The streets were packed from the start at 2:30 and roughly 3,000 people made their way around to sample wines from local wineries and partake in nearly every type of chocolate ever discovered. The event also featured some great hand-made crafts. There was even a Cupcakes War going on (which I sadly missed).[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Tired of carrying your wine glass around? Have a desire to wear a chain of daisies on your head? Always had a desire for a large metal sculpture in your front yard? The Chocolate & Wine Festival had it covered.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_single_image css_animation=”” image=”616″ border_color=”” img_link_large=”” link=”http://cabotsusq.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/long.png” img_link_target=”_self” img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]In addition to being a fun-filled event, some serious money was raised for the library and the hospital. Approximately $20,000 will be split between the two and will go a long way towards funding their operations.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]A beautiful event with perfect weather, great wine, tasty food and fantastic company made this a year to remember.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_single_image css_animation=”” image=”620″ border_color=”” img_link_large=”” link=”http://cabotsusq.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/cog20120519003-xl.jpg” img_link_target=”_self” img_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]And a shout out to everyone who stopped by the Cabot table that made donations to the hospital in exchange for a taste of our ribs – we handed out seven racks in about 10 minutes and raised $200! Thank you for your generous contributions![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Stop by our Flickr site to see more photos from the event.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Media coverage:[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row animation=””][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Brittany Thomas – Coordinator, External Affairs[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]