Chocolate and new art to be featured at First Friday in downtown Camas


‘A Chocolate Affair to Remember’ to include virtual activities starting Mon., Feb. 1 and in-person activities on Fri., Feb. 5

Chocolate treats, art shows, candy themed activities, prizes, after hours shopping and more will all be a part of the 14th annual “A Chocolate Affair to Remember” First Friday event in Downtown Camas in February. 

Chocolate treats, art shows, candy themed activities, prizes, after hours shopping and more will all be a part of the 14th annual “A Chocolate Affair to Remember” First Friday event in Downtown Camas in February. Photo courtesy of Downtown Camas Association
Chocolate treats, art shows, candy themed activities, prizes, after hours shopping and more will all be a part of the 14th annual “A Chocolate Affair to Remember” First Friday event in Downtown Camas in February. Photo courtesy of Downtown Camas Association

Virtual activities start on Mon., Feb. 1 and in-person First Friday activities are on Fri., Feb. 5, 5-8 p.m. Downtown businesses will be serving and selling chocolate delights and other romantic gifts with wine and specials at select locations as well. The event is hosted by the Downtown Camas Association (DCA) and downtown merchants.

The First Friday evening’s activities include:

  • Guess the candy jar amounts in each participating location and be entered to win the candy, gift cards and other Valentine’s themed prizes.
  • Art receptions and shows in downtown art galleries: Attic Gallery (featuring Marcia Jeglum and Hand Cut Tyvek Art) & Camas Gallery (featuring Matt Gibson and his new penny fish kits for kids and Bev Birdwell with her hand painted Valentine wine glasses and matching masks)
  • After Hours Shopping, special sales and chocolate treats

Here are the virtual activities for the week, instructions on each daily Facebook post:

Sunday: In-person passport posted–guess the candy jar amounts in participating merchants and the closest guess wins the candy and a gift card

Monday: Chocolate Word Games

Tuesday: Seek and Find in Downtown Camas

Wednesday: Pick and Pic

Thursday: Chocolate Trivia

Friday: Virtual Downtown Passport

The In-person Passport activity can be done all week (the passport will be posted on the webpage and on Facebook on Sun, Jan. 31) and on First Friday evening until 8 p.m. Participating shops will have passport copies as well. Submit your in-person passport on the First Friday Facebook post by Sat., Feb. 6 at noon to win a downtown Valentine’s Day basket.

There will also be a few posts with First Friday friends Nick & Tami Calais and now Baby Calvin. February First Friday is their 3rd anniversary – they got married on First Friday in downtown Camas and the community was invited to the wedding and all the activities. Watch for posts to see how their family has grown.

 “This event is a delicious favorite and we are excited we get to do this month at least partially in person,” says Carrie Schulstad, executive director for the DCA. “We will continue the tradition of chocolate treats and candy games safely and something families can enjoy together in Downtown Camas. Make sure to check out the penny fish art kits for kids in Camas Gallery as they are something brand new and if you haven’t tried Camas Slices pizza yet at 4th and Cedar, this is the perfect time.”  

First Fridays are art, activities, dining, and after hours shopping themed family friendly events coordinated by the DCA each month of the year to support downtown and develop the community and are being held both virtually and partially in-person until fully in-person First Friday events are again possible.

For more information, visit https://downtowncamas.com/event/chocolate-affair-remember or the Downtown Camas First Friday Facebook page.