MAYORAL SUNDAE TOPS FUND-RAISER FOR LANCASTER DISTRICT.

Byline: Bhavna Mistry Daily News Staff Writer

Whipped cream, chocolate syrup and cherries were combined to transform Lancaster Mayor George Runner into a human sundae Saturday at the third annual Romantic Chocolate Festival benefiting students in the Lancaster School District.

"I can't say I'm looking forward to this," said Runner wearing goggles, a pink knit cap, blue jeans and a white sweat shirt just before he stepped into a play pool. "But it's for a good cause."

Festivalgoers first purchased toppings such as whipped cream at $1 for five seconds, cherries $2 for five seconds and chocolate syrup for $10 for five seconds or all of the above for $15 for five seconds and then took turns smothering the mayor and Lancaster schools Superintendent Steve Gocke with their favorite sundae toppings.

Although, the human sundaes seemed to highlight the third annual festival held Saturday afternoon at the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds, there were many activities to keep all chocolate lovers pleased.

Lancaster City Council members and the district's Board of Trustees battled each other kissing at kissing booths, trying to see who could out sell the most chocolate kisses.

"It's our version of safe sex," said Susan Davis, executive director of the Lancaster Education Foundation. "We thought it was a natural - politicians and kissing."

For those who just couldn't get enough, an outdoor stage highlighted an eating contest as the young and old alike vied to see who could eat the most chocolate, ice cream, cheesecake and other sweet treats.

As festivalgoers walked through three buildings, 69 vendors handed out chocolate samples including cookies, cakes, candies, ice cream, pastries, puddings and fruit.

Lake Hughes resident Manny Vargas was impressed by how many different types of chocolate items he found Saturday. "There's such a variety," he said as he tried to pick a favorite. "It's hard to decide."

Joan Breiten, 63, of Lebec traveled 40 miles to come to Saturday's event. "I never heard of this before," said Breiten, who found out about the event from her daughter-in-law, who lives in Lancaster. "I thought it would be something to see."

"I heard the money was going to the kids," said Dama Breiten, Joan Breiten's daughter-in-law. "I wanted to come and support them. The money goes to by stuff they really do need."

Festival officials expected close to 3,000 people to attend Saturday's event and were hoping to raise $25,000 to $30,000. Last year, the event raised $20,000.