FOLLOWING on from the tremendous success of the 2010 Chocolate festival and ball, the Sloane 350 Group have once again put together a three-day festival that celebrates the inventor of chocolate who was born in the town of Killyleagh.
This stylish event takes place from Friday 21 to Sunday 23 September
Professor Bob Elwood, QUB, Sloane 350 Group chairman, said: “The grand ball on the 21 September takes place in the magnificent marquee in the grounds of Killyleagh Castle. This is a formal dress evening and there are only three tables left of the 400 tickets for sale such is the demand for this fantastic evening of fun, top class music and exquisite food.
“The menu will feature local produce for the banquet from our key sponsors Finnebrogue Venison and Mash Direct plus an amazing chocolate desert. It all starts off with a champagne reception of fine wines. Then after the dinner we can all dance the evening away to the sounds of the American Four Tops, Silver Fish and Risky Business.
“This will be a spectacular evening. The 2010 ball is still the talk of  Killyleagh and indeed County Down. But the festival is not just for the jolly few but caters for a much wider audience.
“The marquee will be the centre of a special zumba day on Saturday under the auspices of the Killyeagh Social Partnership. Check out our website at www.hanssloane.com and follow us on Twitter for precise times and details. Come along and get fit in a great and memorable setting.”
The big day for the festival is on Sunday 23 September starting at noon when huge crowds will descend on Killyleagh to enjoy the Chocolate and Fine Food Festival, artisan food producers, cooking demonstations and some top class music. The children will be well entertained with a wide range of activities such as archery, a climbing wall, circus workshop, balloon modelling, story-tellling, art and a cookie baking competition. and the Babcock and Bobbins show. There will also be the W5 chocolate show and to get your feet tapping, the Streetwise samba band.
“In 2010 we held our first Chocolate Festival and it was an amazing success. This year we have more chocolateers, and chocolate producers, and many more children’s events,” added Professor Elwood.
All children admitted are free with adult’s admission, £2.50.
The Bio of Sir Hans Sloane
Sir Hans Sloane was born in Killyleagh on 16 April 1660, and was educated at Killyleagh Castle. He went on to become a very important figure of his time. Sloane was both physician to royalty and also a scientist and held the very top positions in each area.
As his influence grew, he also developed considerable wealth and had a passion for collecting all sorts of objects to help him understand how the world worked. Essentially, he had his own museum, and on his death, he bequeathed his collection to the nation and  it founded the world famous British Museum.
Sloane saw a cocoa drink being using in the West Indies, but found it to bitter and nauseous so he created a recipe with milk and sugar. This recipe was later bought over by Cadburys, now the chocolate giant. He is remembered in Chelsea, which he owned, with Sloane Square and several streets bear his name. His bust is on display at the entrance to the British Museum and at the foyer of the British Library.
