The Chocolate Expo is Back at Long Island’s Cradle of Aviation Museum March 27

After a hiatus due to the ongoing COIVD-19 pandemic, The Chocolate Expo finally returns to Long Island at the Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City on March 27, 2022, from 10AM-7PM.

Taste, purchase, celebrate and otherwise indulge in delicious goodies such as chocolates, baked goods, specialty foods, cheeses, craft sodas, wines, hard ciders, distilled spirits, coffees & teas and much more!

Marvin Baum created his first major event in 2004 with the Official Woodstock 35th Anniversary Celebration under license from Woodstock ‘69 organizers Michael Lang & Joel Rosenman (Woodstock Ventures).  Prior to that time, Marvin’s company had been involved with high-tech digital imaging systems. Through his work, Marvin met Elliott Landy, photographer of the famous Woodstock Festival and creator of some of the truly iconic images of that era.

In speaking with Elliott, Marvin became aware that no plans had been made to celebrate Woodstock’s 35th anniversary, so he started planning it himself. After approaching a “high profile” NYC museum, but failing to get even a return phone call from this organization, Marvin contacted the New York State Museum in Albany, which enthusiastically embraced the idea of a celebration that included a museum exhibition of Elliott’s photos and festival “artifacts,” along with concerts by Woodstock ‘69 performers Arlo Guthrie, Jefferson Starship (formerly Jefferson Airplane), John Sebastian (Lovin’ Spoonful), folk singer “Melanie” and others.

While Marvin, Elliott and the Museum were able to organize and promote the celebration in an unbelievably short period of time (about 4 months), the State of New York had no money budgeted for an opening reception at the Museum. That’s when Marvin got the idea to start contacting wineries, breweries, cheese makers and specialty food producers from around New York to solicit their participation in what ultimately became the largest opening reception in the history of the Museum.  As is often the case… necessity is the mother of invention.

The Woodstock celebration went on to receive international media attention and Marvin decided to switch his company from high technology to event production.  In late 2004, Marvin was asked by the NYS Executive Mansion to participate in planning Governor George Pataki’s annual holiday celebration to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation and, in 2006, he created a chocolate event for the State’s official holiday celebration in Albany.  This is what ultimately led to the creation of The Chocolate Expo.

Now, The Chocolate Expo has become the largest chocolate event in the United States with  spectacular locations in the New York metro region, plus more great locations are being planned.