By JENNIFER AMATO
Staff Writer
Residents from around the area are invited to once again “reflect” on their love for sweets.
For the fourth consecutive year, Newspaper Media Group (NMG) will host its Chocolate and Wine event from noon to 4 p.m. Jan. 27 inside the Reflections Ballroom at Vibe Tap & Grill in Hazlet.
Offered selections will include a variety of wines, treats and gifts, according to NMG Director of Marketing and Events Angela Smith, including “returning favorites” Nothing Bundt Cakes, Duck Donuts and Gourmet Creations. Artisan vendors will display items such as wine accessories and jewelry.
“This is a fun and well attended event because it is a great, affordable way to spend the afternoon with your friends and family. You can come to one place, drink some wine, taste some delicious sweets and even buy yourself a little treat if you want,” Smith said.
On the heels of a very successful event last year when the all-day affair welcomed more than 600 people to Branches in West Long Branch, this year’s event will welcome people just as eager to enjoy samples from Reflections, Vibe and a multitude of vendors from the community.
“The Reflections Ballroom at Vibe Tap and Grill is a beautiful venue with a wonderful ambiance and a great layout for this event. In the past, our vendors have been separated into three large rooms and this year, we are able to have everyone rotate through the main ballroom and the foyer,” Smith said. “We also wanted to find a new spot that would is more centrally located for our readers, allowing our readers to attend who may have felt Long Branch was too far of a drive for them.”
Smith said NMG employees enjoy taking part in “the sweet life” in order to engage with its audience.
“Our job is to inform the readers in our community, and events are another way that we do that. And what’s great about them is that we see familiar faces – we see people who come to event after event and the reason is because they are enjoying themselves and they see the value of being a part of the community,” she said.
Tickets are $10 in advance for adults 21 and older, or $15 at the door. Children ages 13-20 are $5. Children under 5 are free. For advance tickets, visit www.nmg.ticketleap.com/chocolate
To showcase a business as a vendor, contact a local NMG sales representative or Smith at asmith@newspapermediagroup.com.
Vibe is located at 2870 Route 35, Hazlet.
For more information, visit www.centraljersey.com.
Contact Jennifer Amato at jamato@gmnews.com.
