Big Top Chocolate Festival

Native to Central and South America, the tree and its bean conquered Europe—and the rest of the wide world. Pictures of the confectionary form of chocolate will send us scampering to the nearest gas station for a little taste. It's not clear when humans first started consuming cacao, but it was centuries before 0 b.c. In 1502, Christopher Columbus' son, Ferdinand, marveled at the care with which Native Americans handled the beans: "When any of these almonds fell, they all stooped to pick it up, as if an eye had fallen." Turns out, ignorant Ferdo didn't realize cacao beans were currency in some parts of Central America. Follow your chocolate-loving heart to this ancient human pleasure at the Big Top Chocolate Festival. Truffles, candies, teas, coffee and live music await. Entry is $10 for adults and $1 for kids under 12. (Marisa Demarco)