NORWICH – The Chenango County Council of the Arts is gearing up for its biennial fundraiser, this year accentuating all things chocolate during the organization’s “Chocolate Ball.”

The Chocolate Ball gets underway at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Canasawacta Country Club in Norwich. Proceeds will support the council’s ongoing effort to provide cultural programming, which, among other things, includes a performance series, gallery exhibits, funding opportunities for teachers, artists and organizations, student scholarships, classes and workshops, and a community cultural calendar.

“This is a big fundraiser for us,” Executive Director Victoria Kappel said. “There’s never a way to charge enough money for services that we can support ourselves. That’s true of any non-profit organization. We rely on donations from he community to keep us open and to keep us going.”

The evening will feature an array of foods from the traditional chicken and vegetables to a pasta dish for vegetarians, Kappel explained. And of course, she added, there will be a number of foods coated, filled, dipped or simply made entirely of chocolate to satisfy the sweet tooth.

Complimentary champagne and hors d’oeuvres will also be made available to appease pallets while local talent Marv Mackoff provides cocktail hour music. Guests will be invited to peruse auction tables that will be stocked with items donated by supportive individuals and businesses, and given the chance to bid on items during a special silent auction.

“The community is always very generous in supplying auction things for us,” Kappel noted. This year, a flood of donations consisting of gift certificates, baskets of chocolate, and cases of wine – to name a few – have already made their way to the council for Saturday’s auction.

Finally, diners will have the opportunity to hit the dance floor when the musical group Brotherhood takes center stage.

“We want everybody to have a really good time with fantastic food and fantastic dancing,” Kappel said.

Admission for the Chocolate Ball is $60 per person. For additional information or last-minute reservations, contact the Chenango County Council of the Arts at 336-2787, or visit chenangoarts.org.