Chocolate Walk raises $4,900 for Arizona Special Olympics

News Release
Feb. 26, 2026

Flagstaff, Ariz. — Downtown Flagstaff businesses and chocolate lovers raised $4,900 for Arizona Special Olympics during the 10th Annual Flagstaff Chocolate Walk on Feb. 7.

Approximately 500 sweets lovers purchased tickets to the event. They picked up passports and maps from the Flagstaff Visitor Center that allowed them to sample chocolates and other treats at dozens of participating businesses downtown. Those guests then perused the 39 storefronts offering treats from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The mild weather that day and temptation of fresh-made desserts had many guests packing downtown venues and exploring new businesses for the first time.

Each participant who visited at least 29 of the stops on their map could return their stamped passport to the Visitor Center to be entered in a drawing for gift-card prizes from businesses such as Olive The Best, The Orpheum Theater, Bearizona, Grand Canyon Railway & Hotel, Starlite Lanes, Flagstaff Baking Co., Yogaert, Flagstaff Underground, Sweet Shoppe Candy Store and Grand Canyon Chocolate. Eighteen volunteers pitched in to help the event run smoothly.

Participants also voted on the People’s Choice Award for the vendor with the best homemade chocolates. This year’s winners were Evan’s Fish and Chips, which offered warm sticky toffee pudding, along with Bigfoot BBQ, which had patrons lining up at their basement location of the Old Town Shops for vanilla eclair cake with a chocolate ganache.

Discover Flagstaff produces the event, and 100% of the proceeds from vendors and ticket sales go to a charitable cause each year. Arizona Special Olympics will receive this year’s proceeds.

Be sure to subscribe to the weekly Flagstaff Happenings newsletter to receive notifications about the next Chocolate Walk and other events in the city. Images of the 2026 event are available at this link: https://app.snapsea.io/p/media-centre/discover-flagstaff/festivals

Flagstaff provides an ideal home base for visitors to explore some of the most spectacular scenery in the world, including the Grand Canyon and other national parks and monuments, Route 66, a charming historic downtown with trains, shopping, art galleries, events, music, restaurants and nightlife. It is the world’s first international dark-sky city and is also in the world’s largest ponderosa pine forest and surrounded by Native American culture. Uniquely Arizona with four seasons, outdoor enthusiasts enjoy perfect weather for summer hiking or biking, beautiful fall colors, winter sports and spring wildflowers. Flagstaff’s restaurant scene includes four James Beard nominees, and it is a leading craft beer city.

Please stay and play responsibly. Visit the Flagstaff Visitor Center (1 E. Rt. 66) for an official Flagstaff Visitor Guide. Learn more at discoverflagstaff.com.