Visitors come from around the region to attend Long Grove’s annual festivals and “hometown” events.  This influx of tourism generates retail revenue and commercial awareness while building future customer bases.  In some cases, it even leads folks to move their home or business here! Proceeds from Long Grove festivals go to improving the Long Grove experience throughout the year – things like new lighting in the downtown, decorations, and holiday promotions.  Long Grove’s three signature festivals – Chocolate Fest, Strawberry Fest, and Apple Fest – attract over 100,000 people alone and are some of the most publicized fests of the year in Chicagoland.  The kickoff to fest season 2019 began with an homage to chocolate the weekend of May 17th – 19th.  At this year’s edition of Chocolate Fest, life’s most delectable dessert cravings came together with three stages of live music.  In addition to a classic carnival with all the old school rides, the Kids Zone gave younger folks old school activities to partake in too, with family entertainment like chocolate pie-eating contests.  As the cherry on top, Long Grove Confectionery brought back the Chocolate Experience Tent, incorporating chocolate carvers, demonstrations, artisans, truffle-making, and more hands-on chocolately action…