Harbor Sweets Celebrates Season With Beverly, Salem Chocolate Events

BEVERLY, MA — Salem-based Harbor Sweets is two fun and tasty events — with a little bit of Easter history — at its Beverly location this spring to help celebrate its 50th anniversary as a company.

Children can come and get pictures with the Easter Bunny at Harbor Sweets Beverly at 140 Rantoul Street on March 24. The event runs from 10 a.m. to noon and will include photos and samples of handmade chocolates.

There are Easter baskets for sale, a self-serve candy wall, stuffed animals, Easter-themed gummies, lollipops and ice cream.

Harbor Sweets founder Ben Strohecker's grandfather, Robert L. Strohecker, is known as the "father of the Easter Bunny" when he pioneered the concept of creating a 5-foot tall chocolate bunny back in 1890.

The Harbor Sweets Robert L. Strohecker Assorted Rabbit Collection is modeled after this original giant rabbit.

On April 17, Harbor Sweets will help host a $1 movie night at The Cabot Theater with a special screening of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (the 1971 version). The first 100 attendees will receive a Harbor Sweets chocolate bar and a chance to win free chocolate for a year.

Throughout April, Harbor Sweets will also offer five special tickets inside chocolate bars at their Beverly and Salem stores. Find a ticket and win a selection of delectable chocolates, a coupon for a free scoop of ice cream, and a private tour of the Salem factory.

One of the lucky winners will be selected to take home the grand prize of free chocolate
for a year of a 20-piece box of chocolate each month.

Tickets for Harbor Sweets $1 movie night at The Cabot are available at the door. Doors will open to the public at 5:30 p.m. Advance tickets are not sold.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)