The Toledo Cacao Festival, held in Toledo Distrct is an annual event traditionally supported by The Belize Tourism Board (BTB), and endorsed by the National Institute of Culture and History (NICH).
Exquisite Belizean chocolates, chocolate stout beverages, cultural performances and entertaining lectures will be featured in Toledo from May 18 through May 20.
The scheduled events starting on Friday, May 18, 2012 includes:
Lecture – Dr. Jaime Awe at the Toledo Cacao Growers Association Conference Room located on Main Street, starting at 2:00 p.m.
The Wine & Chocolate night (entrance fee is only $50.00) Punta Gorda Coral House Inn, starting time is 7:00 p.m.
Live performances by the Maya Kekchi Strings, Florencio Mes, Tumul Kin Boys.
The second day of events, Saturday, May 19, 2012, (begins at 8:00 a.m.) under the theme “Culture & Harmony” includes:
Street Festival: Maya, East Indian, Creole and Meztizo cultural booths
Belize chocolatiers, blends of classic and unique foods, cacao & chocolate recipes, Belizean chocolate and live music.
Historical overview of the Paynes Creek Underwater National Park.
Inland tours – cacao trail tours, Belizean chocolate making, kayaking, snorkeling, Cacao for Kids – children storytelling and painting sessions, will be available.
Night time entertainment: ‘Open Air Street Concert’. Performances by Leila Vernon, New Rebels and many more.
Fireworks show ends the evening
Final day of events, Sunday, May 20, 2012, concluding events include:
Deer Dance
Entertainment by: the Palenque Rojo group from San Cristobal de Las Casa, Mexico, live Maya cultural music, Florencio Mes and Tumul Kin Marimba boys
Belizean Chocolates, foods and beverages available
Here’s the scoop:
Belizean chocolate makes a Caribbean getaway even more tempting, tastier and authentic for the adventure traveler. You can celebrate cacao – the historic tree responsible for seedpods which spawned a worldwide comfort food – during the three-day Toledo Cacao Festival in the southern part of Belize.
Exquisite Belizean chocolates, chocolate stout beverages, cultural performances and an entertaining lecture by Dr. Jaime Awe, director of the Belize Institute of Archeology, will be featured in Toledo from May 18 through May 20
Whether you’re traveling as a romantic couple, adventure seeker or family, you’ll find specials on accommodations to suit every age, taste and budget, so you can get a taste of Belizean chocolate – and the cultural significance of this magical crop. Ancient Maya saw cacao seed pods as symbols of life and fertility. You can even visit a chocolate factory in the Toledo District.
Entertainment for the festival will take place on Front Street, in the Toledo District, except for specific activities such as the chocolate trails and the ending of the festivity at the Lubaantun Maya temple.
Those intrigued with the completion of the Maya calendar 13th Baktun, will find this year’s festival to be a unique and satisfying experience. (Awe will also speak to the mysteries of the Maya 2012 calendar. Ancient Maya [link to BTB Maya section] historically valued cacao and chocolate as if it were gold.
The Toledo District will showcase its blend of ethnicities. During the festival, each ethnic group will display their culture through arts, singing and dancing.
Colorful performances and dances, including a deer dance, mark the conclusion of the three-day festivity on, Sunday, May 20, 2012, at the Lubaantun Maya temple. Special entertainment by the Palenque Rojo group from San Cristobal de Las Casa, Mexico, live Maya cultural music, Florencio Mes and Tumul Kin Marimba boys. There will also be cultural chocolates, foods and beverages available.
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