Free chocolates can be sampled in downtown Washington for the inaugural Choctoberfest. Businesses in downtown Washington are working with the Washington Chamber of Commerce to organize the sweet event. Event Coordinator Alisha Davis says this will be replacing another October event, “So this is replacing the Moonlight Madness. We’re just kind of changing things up and trying something different. The retailers will still be offering some discounts, but they just are going to be focusing more on sampling the chocolates, and getting into their stores and seeing what they have.”

Those who decide to indulge can get a passport and then get it marked at each business they visit. At the end of their chocolate tour attendees can turn in passports for a raffle drawing. Choctoberfest is running at the same time as the final farmers market of the year in Central Park, 5-8 p.m. Thursday.