There was a time in the early stages of the Chocolate Walk's development when Mark Freeman was meeting with local downtown Lititz merchants in an attempt to secure sponsorships and commitments. Freeman was trying to sell the event on its merit, the impact that it might have on the community and the local good that could be accomplished through the fundraiser's donations to nonprofits.

Freeman was caught a bit off guard by the local businesses' collective response.

"They said, 'We don't care. It's chocolate,'" said Freeman. "That's when we knew we had something special."

That was more than 20 years ago. Now, Freeman is still heavily involved in the event, and the Lititz Kiwanis Club is preparing to stage the Chocolate Walk's 23rd edition. It will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12, at various participating businesses in downtown Lititz.

Tickets can be purchased at http://www.lititzchocolatewalk.com.

"(Lititz's history with chocolate) is one of the reasons we do it," said Freeman, who was a representative of Wilbur Chocolate when he helped found the Chocolate Walk in 2001. "Wilbur is here, and the town is known for chocolate. We want to make sure it lives on. There's still (Wilbur) chocolate made on West Lincoln Avenue. We're a town that wants to be known for chocolate. We want to be known as a foodie town."

Participants in the Chocolate Walk process from downtown business to downtown business - about 30 in all - sampling candies, cookies, cakes and other culinary creations made from one of the world's most popular sweet treats. Wilbur Chocolate serves as the basis for many, but not all, of the recipes used at Chocolate Walk.

"These are all culinary professionals, some creating something special and some handing out what they normally make," said Freeman. "It absolutely speaks to the versatility of chocolate. There are a wide variety of products that can be made from it. You can flavor it in so many different ways and create so many things from it. When you add chocolate, they become things that people want more."

Up to 2,000 visitors are expected to attend the Chocolate Walk. The Lititz Kiwanis Club is hoping to raise up to $100,000 for children-oriented nonprofits like Schreiber Center for Pediatric Development, Lancaster Cleft Palate Clinic, the Lititz Public Library and the Manheim Township Public Library.

"The Chocolate Walk is a very fun day for the community," said Freeman. "We bring a fair number of people to town who enjoy being in Lititz. The comment that always comes back to us is, 'What a friendly town it is.' It's great to be a part of the community in that way."

Along with a wine, cheese and chocolate virtual tasting party in February and the Pretzel Fest and a kids' day in Lititz Springs Park, both of which take place in May, the Chocolate Walk is one of four events that the Lititz Kiwanis Club sponsors on a yearly basis. The Kiwanis Club, which has about 30 members, was founded in Lititz in the late 1990s.

"The Kiwanis Club is all about supporting children's activities in the community and improving the world one child at a time," said Freeman. "Like any service organization, we're continually trying to find new members and to bring new energy to the club. We're pretty much as strong now as we've ever been."