Half Ton Holiday Chocolate Bar In Old Colorado City

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado (Seiko Tran) - The Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory in Old Colorado City will unveil a chocolate bar weighing over a half ton to celebrate the Holiday Season. "The candy business is all about having fun and we enjoy creating memorable experiences," says Mazie Baalman, owner of the Rocky Mountain Chocolate. "This won't be your typical chocolate bar."

The Chocolate Factory has enlisted the talents of local ice sculpture, William Sandusky, to create a serving bar made entirely of ice in front of the store. Sandusky has gain international acclaims for his talents. As part of a team he recently placed third in the 2009 World Ice Art Championships held in Fairbanks, Alaska.

"We are going to give away free chocolate all weekend long to people visiting Old Colorado City," says Baalman. The Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory is known for freshly made samples of fudge, caramel apples, and other goodies inside the store. The chocolate bar brings it outside to the street on a grander scale. "People are stressed this time of year. What better way to cheer them up than mixing the uplifting effects of unique art and old fashioned chocolates. Plus it is Free!"

The ice sculpted chocolate serving bar is themed to go with the historic nature of Old Colorado City. "We wanted to do something that evokes the wholesome and traditional American Christmas," says Sandusky." There will be a brick fireplace and mantle. Even flaming logs with twinkling lights embedded into the ice." The sculpture will slowly melt, lasting only a few days. "We are hoping it will make it to Christmas Eve," says Baalman. "As long as it is standing, we will use it to give away chocolate and spread holiday cheer in OCC."

Over the weekend Old Colorado City will host Free Pictures with Santa located at the cabin in Bancroft Park. Carolers and actors dressed in period costume will also add to the holiday spirit.

Photo/film opportunities for the ice sculpture are available Saturday December 19th in the morning and evening. From 6am-9am, William Sandusky is sculpting (the sculpture will be mid progress at 6am). After sunset the ice sculpture is illuminated.

Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory is located at 2431 W. Colorado Avenue in Historic Old Colorado City.

Please contact Mazie Baalman of Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, at 719-635-4131 for information on placing orders for the holidays.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHOCOLATE FACTORY PAIRS CHOCOLATE AND BEER AT THIS WEEKEND’S CRAFT LAGER FESTIVAL

Colorado Springs, CO (August 6, 2009) — Mazie and Ron Baalman, owners of Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, with four locations in the Pikes Peak region, are happy to announce that they will be pairing chocolate and beer at this weekend’s 7th Annual Craft Lager Festival which will be held at the Memorial Park in Historic Manitou Springs, Colorado, on August 8th-9th from 1-6 PM. Over 30 brewers from around the U.S. will participate in this year’s festival with 54 different types of lagers.

Mazie stated, “We will have Raspberry Truffles & Bourbon Truffles available at our booth at the Craft Lager Festival so people can get them and actually pair them with the different brews! We will also have pretzels and 10 different varieties of Chocolate Caramel Apples for all those that would like to clean their palate between sampling the 54 different brews. For the gourmand, we will also offer Chili Almond Brittle, Chocolate Dipped Bananas, Strawberries and Jalapenos. Last but not least, we will offer Peanut Butter, Walnut and Double-Chocolate Fudges.”

Please contact Mazie Baalman of Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, at 719-635-4131 for more info.

The 7th Annual Craft Lager Festival, held for two days this year, will feature:

* America’s first solar-powered beer festival
* The finest hand-crafted lagers in the U.S.

* Live music and dancing in Memorial Park
* Discounted tickets for sponsors!

* A non-profit event staffed by volunteers
* Brewers from more than 20 states on hand

* Rain or shine! Party tents for shade or shelter
* Solar-powered, sustainable, Earth-friendly!

* Free soft drinks for designated drivers
* Free parking, first come first served at the park

* Live music with Big Paddy & Grass It Up on Saturday and The Jack Trades & Creating a Newsense on Sunday

To pre-order discounted tickets or for more information, go online today at www.craftlagerfestival.com.