YYC Hot Chocolate Fest heats up this weekend

Lavender mocha.Bourbon bananas.Salted caramel peanut butter.

Those are just some of the flavours you'll find at the 2016 YYC Hot Chocolate Fest, which kicks offJan. 30.

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"This year we have a whopping 32 vendors and 36 drinks, so you're going to have to double down on Sundays if you want to try them all," said Christine Conley, CalgaryMeals on Wheelscommunity outreach coordinator.

The festivalhas grown "exponentially" since its debut five years ago,both in terms of interest and offerings, Conley said.

"Of course, it depends on the weather. We're always hoping for a little bit of a chilly February to encourage folks to get out there," she laughed.

"If we do end up with a Chinook one of these days, we have a couple that are doing chilled hot chocolates as well."

New flavours and common themes this year include ginger, s'moresand red velvet, Conley said.

"Some of those flavours are fruit, so Ifigure, 'Hey, well, does that count? One extra serving there!'" she joked.

The friendly competition runs until the end of February and the winner will be decided by online votes.

At least one dollar from every mug sold goes back toCalgary Meals on Wheels.