Photos by Sandra Michaud

[Editor's Note: The Beat was unable to get names of some of those accepting awards, as well as of one chocolatier. Please email editor@grantcountybeat.com with any corrections.]

The sold-out event brought about 400 people to participate in the 2018 Chocolate Fantasia "Travel Through Time" walk through Downtown Silver City, sampling delicious handcrafted chocolate creations. After the event ended, chocolatiers and well-wishers assembled at Little Toad Creek Brewery to find out who the award winners were.

Chocolate Fantasia awards given out 021018

• Chocolate Fantasia awards given out 021018

  Mayor Ken Ladner gave opening remarks, while event organizer Maureen Craig looks on at left.

  http://grantcountybeat.com/images/2018newsitems/FrontPageNews/Choc-Fant-awards-2018/DSC_3876.jpg

• Chocolate Fantasia awards given out 021018

  Laurie Wilson celebrates the third place finish for decorations in Finn's Gallery with her husband.

  http://grantcountybeat.com/images/2018newsitems/FrontPageNews/Choc-Fant-awards-2018/DSC_3883.jpg

• Chocolate Fantasia awards given out 021018

  Eileen English receives a third place Wonderful Chocolatier Award for her confections at The Jewelry Lady.

  http://grantcountybeat.com/images/2018newsitems/FrontPageNews/Choc-Fant-awards-2018/DSC_3884.jpg

• Chocolate Fantasia awards given out 021018

  An award winner shows her award at the ceremony Saturday afternoon.

  http://grantcountybeat.com/images/2018newsitems/FrontPageNews/Choc-Fant-awards-2018/DSC_3887.jpg

• Chocolate Fantasia awards given out 021018

  Tina Klassen, Kelly Mauer and daughter accept the first place award for decorations at Millie's Bake House.

  http://grantcountybeat.com/images/2018newsitems/FrontPageNews/Choc-Fant-awards-2018/DSC_3893.jpg

• Chocolate Fantasia awards given out 021018

  Ramona Maltby and Holly Sytch accept the People's Choice award for decorations at Encore.

  http://grantcountybeat.com/images/2018newsitems/FrontPageNews/Choc-Fant-awards-2018/DSC_3895.jpg

• Chocolate Fantasia awards given out 021018

  A first place award winner shows off her bag. 

  http://grantcountybeat.com/images/2018newsitems/FrontPageNews/Choc-Fant-awards-2018/DSC_3900.jpg

• Chocolate Fantasia awards given out 021018

  Manda Jost accepts the People's Choice award for Chocolatier at Morning Star. 

  http://grantcountybeat.com/images/2018newsitems/FrontPageNews/Choc-Fant-awards-2018/DSC_3901.jpg

• Chocolate Fantasia awards given out 021018

  Kelly Trinkle-Thai accepts the second place award for decorations at Curl Up and Dye.

  http://grantcountybeat.com/images/2018newsitems/FrontPageNews/Choc-Fant-awards-2018/DSC_3908.jpg

Prize bags contained, among other things, a $25 Mainstreet gift coupon, a $25 gift card from Ace, pottery and a flower pen from the Georgia O'Keefe Museum.

Awards for Chocolatiers:
People's Choice Award - Morning Star, Manda Jost
1st Place Star Chocolatier Award - Millie's Bake House, Kelly Mauer
1st Place Wonderful Chocolatier Award - Gila Hike and Bike, Alex ?
2nd Place Wonderful Chocolatier Award - Silver City Food Co-op, Whitney Bustillos
3rd Place Wonderful Chocolatier Award - The Jewelry Lady, Eileen English
Maverick Award for Non-candy Treat - Marketplace, Jeannie Kay
Honorable Mention - Power & Light, Shugarman's from Madrid, NM

Awards for Business Host Sites:
People's Choice Award - Encore
1st Place Award for Decorations & More - Millie's Bake House
2nd Place Award for Decorations & More - Curl Up & Dye
3rd Place Award for Decorations & More - Finn's Gallery
Honorable Mention - Power & Light
Honorable Mention - Silver City Museum