Downtown Excelsior Springs was filled with indulgent aromas of gourmet chocolate as the 17th Annual Chocolate Tour kicked off this past weekend. With 400 participants and an extensive lineup of participating downtown businesses, the day was filled with laughter, shopping and lots of chocolate! Tonya Watson and Kelli Gooding attended the event for the first time this year. “It has absolutely been amazing. You look around and everyone is having a great time. Everybody should plan to attend next year,” said Watson. “I’ve enjoyed walking around downtown; it has been great weather,” said Gooding. “I think Tonya and I will plan a bigger group for next year.” Jason Van Till, general manager of Pairings by Van Till Family Farm Winery, said: “We have been slammed and we are only halfway into the event. It has been a great event so far and we are already thinking about ideas for next year’s tour.” Strolling along downtown streets like Broadway and Thompson, pink signs could be seen for…