About This Festival

The Fortville Chocolate Walk is a community event held in downtown Fortville, Indiana, where participants engage in a chocolate-themed scavenger hunt visiting over 25 stops to sample gourmet chocolates. It takes place on May 8, 2026, from early evening hours, with a ticket admission charge of around $20. This event is wheelchair accessible and organized to showcase the local businesses and organizations by keeping them open late specifically for the event, allowing visitors to sample chocolates and experience what the town has to offer.

The event vibe is festive and welcoming, focused on community and family enjoyment in a charming small-town downtown setting. Attendees wander through downtown Fortville, visiting diverse stops that include shops and organizations, some of which are set up at tables if not located directly downtown, creating a lively village atmosphere.

Typical activities include:

  • Touring more than 25 designated chocolate stop points
  • Sampling a variety of chocolates from local confectioners and businesses
  • Interacting with local vendors showcasing products beyond chocolate
  • Networking and community engagement among attendees and merchants

The 2026 event is based on the successful inaugural Chocolate Walk held in May 2025, which started at GBC Bank (111 W Broadway, Fortville) and ran from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. This original event was designed to encourage visitors to explore downtown, enjoy gourmet chocolate treats, and connect with various businesses after business hours. The event is organized by the Hancock County Chamber of Commerce and has become a prominent community gathering.

A rough schedule for the 2026 Chocolate Walk would likely be:

  • 5:00 PM: Event start, participants begin at a designated central point (such as GBC Bank)
  • 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM: Open hours to visit all participating stops in downtown Fortville at leisure to sample chocolates
  • 8:00 PM: Event concludes, with businesses closing for the night

The history of this event is recent, emerging as a first annual event in 2025, inspired by similar successful chocolate walks in the region, such as the long-established Greenfield Chocolate Walk in another part of Hancock County. The Fortville walk aims to replicate the community-building and economic benefits seen in those earlier events, enhancing downtown vibrancy and promoting local business patronage.

For more information, tickets, and event inquiries, the Hancock County Chamber of Commerce is the primary contact via phone at (317) 477-4188 or their website.