18th Annual Chocolate Tasting Set for Valentine's Day

BISBEE, AZ – Looking for something delightfully, deliciously different to do on Valentine’s Day that will also help support a wonderful cause?

If so, the Friends of the Copper Queen Library cordially invite you to attend their 18th Annual Chocolate Tasting on Saturday, February 14 from 6-9pm at the Copper Queen Library on 6 Main Street in Bisbee’s Downtown Historic District.

This fundraiser, their largest volunteer effort of the year, helps the Friends purchase children’s books for the library and sponsor many educational and informational programs and presentations for the entire community throughout the year.

This year, with the generous support of area businesses and in conjunction with the Summer Reading Program's “Get Creative @ Your Library!” theme, the Friends also hope to assist the library in developing a “Children's Creativity Center” which will feature a wide variety of supplies and tools – everything from markers for the youngsters to media stations for teens!

How does the Taste work? Volunteer dessert makers, both commercial and domestic, will break out their secret recipes, create an amazing array of light and dark delights, and donate a delectable selection of their own specialty confections to be showcased and served on both the second and third floors of the historic library building (all floors are accessible by elevator).

The Bisbee Coffee Company has also generously agreed to donate locally roasted coffee for the occasion, and a special Valentine’s Day punch will be served as well.

For a $10 advance donation ($12 at the door), revelers will receive six tickets to trade for six tempting treats of their choice from table or tray and will have an added opportunity to participate in a raffle for an interesting and eclectic mix of prizes donated through the generosity of Bisbee's merchants.

Visit with friends, queue up for beverages, marvel at the library’s architecture and contents, or search for that perfect piece of chocolate while volunteer waiters circulate throughout the library with trays of superb sweets and live music from Nancy Weaver & Cool Jazz, a popular local trio, sets the evening’s mood. Enjoy the sweet, swinging sounds of jazz, then mix, match, and make your own special confection selection!

Or, “Chocolate-To-Go” might be the ideal way to guarantee a delicious Valentine's Day dessert for those who are already booked on this very busy weekend (or who wish to indulge privately), “To Go” boxes will be available for pick-up from 4-6pm at the Friends Bookstore with advance ticket purchase and a “To Go” call to (520) 432-3259 to place a to-go order. Please have ticket number(s) handy!

Taste tickets are available for advance purchase at the Copper Queen Library, the Friends Bookstore, the Bisbee Visitors’ Center, the Bisbee Chamber of Commerce, and Atalanta’s Music & Books.

“Will-Call” tickets may also be purchased in advance by mail (checks must be mailed to the Friends at P.O. Box 1857, Bisbee, AZ 85603 and received by February 11).

And, of course, tickets will also be sold at the door on February 14 starting at 6pm – but only while the limited supply lasts!

Come join in and celebrate Valentine’s Day, have some delicious fun, and support a wonderful cause!

As always, the Friends encourage anyone interested in baking or otherwise assisting (as prep crew, waiters, servers, decorators, bussers, or clean-up crew), or anyone needing more information to contact Pamela Hay at (520) 432-3259 or the Library Circulation Desk at (520) 432-4232. Hope to see you there!