Think progressive party, pub crawl  and scavenger hunt all rolled into one. Now, dip it in chocolate.
What you have is the third annual Harbor Country Chocolate Classic. This year, 34 businesses come together to make the month of February festive and fun — and above all, chocolate-filled. From chocolate covered bacon at Milda’s to a murder mystery play at the Gordon Beach Inn, there is something for everyone.
“There’s a variety of activities,” said Kim Pruitt, of the Harbor Country Chamber of Commerce. “You can pick and choose. You don’t have to do it all.”
A brochure is available at businesses around Harbor Country and on the organization’s website. It contains a map marked with participating businesses and a description of what each is doing.
“It’s kind of fun to see how different businesses participate,” Pruitt said.
Businesses of all kinds — bed-and-breakfasts, health spas, restaurants, retail and design shops, tasting rooms, art galleries — are involved.
Some businesses offer month-long specials or treats. Others are hosting special events. The common element that ties them together is chocolate.
The Buchanan Art Center will present the history of chocolate, as well as chocolate samplings and chocolate-related activities.
The Harbor Country Day Spa is featuring chocolate massages, facials and other treatments. The real treat is that services are discounted and come with a chocolate fortune cookie and glass of Founders Wine Cellar chocolate-infused wine. (In Baroda, Founders Wine Cellar is holding an event of its own.)
Several businesses plan open houses with all manner of chocolate treats. There are chocolate cakes and chocolate cookies. There are chocolate martinis, chocolate-infused wines and beer, chocolate truffles and even chocolate pastas.
Some participants are holding contests. Skip’s Restaurant will have a chocolate bake-off, and the New Buffalo Savings Bank is offering a cash prize to the person who guesses how many chocolate “gold coins” are in the jars at their branches
There are gala events. At Burnison Gallery, the Chamber Winds Woodwinds Quintet will perform “Music for the Soul: A Love Affair,” a concert featuring works from Baroque to modern. A chocolate reception will precede the show.
Bev’s Second Season Ball, “A Chocolate Fantasy,” will take place at the Four Winds Casino.
Timothy’s Restaurant, in the Gordon Beach Inn, is the venue for “Dinner at Eight, Dead by Nine,” billed as “a comedy murder mystery play.” Part of the ticket price is tax deductible as a portion of the events proceeds goes to Harbor Country Partners in Education for Tomorrow.
The Craig Smith Gallery, also at the Gordon Beach Inn, has planned two events. It will host a champagne tasting on Valentine’s Day and will serve chocolate drinks and desserts the following Saturday.
“[The Classic] makes for some fun events,” said Pruitt. “Whether you want to do something more high-style, and go out for a nice dinner, or you just want to go to an art opening and be around people, it gives some options of activities. You can spend a little, or you can spend a lot.”
To download a Chocolate Classic brochure, go to www.harborcountry.org.