CityBeat's Sugar Rush 

We've all heard the phrase, "like a kid in a candy store," but you don't have to be a child to indulge in a smorgasbord of sweets. Join us at Artisans Enterprise Center (AEC) at 27 W. Seventh St. Covington, Ky. for Sugar Rush on Thursday, Aug. 29.

You'll feel like Charlie in the Chocolate Factory (minus that annoying Veruca Salt) as you explore a colorful candy extravaganza. Think Katy Perry's Candyfornia. Several local sweeteries will sample their best cupcakes, ice cream, donuts, pies, pastries and more. Vendors include Graeters Ice Cream, The BonBonerie, Airheads, Holtman's Donuts, Yagoot, Chocolate Pizza Company, Donna's Gourmet Cookies, Moerlein Lager House, Maribelles Cakery, GiGi's Cupcakes, Sugar Plums Cupcakery, Camp Washington Chili, Coffee Emporium, LaLa's Blissful Bites (opening in Downtown Mid-September), Lori Beth's Cafe/Catering/Confections, last year's winner Cupcake Crazy plus many many more. We will also have some savory food provided by the Urban Grill Food Truck! And since we are adults, enjoy dessert wine tastings compliments of 1215 Wine Bar & Coffee Lab.

Guests will text in their vote for their favorite treat of the night — the winner will receive bragging rights and an award to display at their shop for a full year! We will also have a panel of experts handing out special recognitions for the most creative. Tickets are just $10.

Whether you're a Princess Lolly or more of a Lord Licorice, there will be goodies to satisfy every sweet tooth. A portion of proceeds benefit the Cincinnati Ballet, performing at this event at 6 p.m. & 7 p.m.

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We will also have in tote a panel of Sugar Experts handing out special awards which include:
Too Pretty To Eat - most visually appealing
Dentist's Worst Nightmare - sweetest dessert
Kid in a Candy Store - most nostalgic prize for a candy-based childhood treat
Like Mama Used To Make - best nostalgic baked good

Our Panel of Critics Include:

Corrie Loeffler: Local food lover Corrie Loeffler knows her grub. Every February, Loeffler shares a unique soup recipe every day on her blog Soupruary. You'll find everything from classic clam chowder to fancy cauliflower soup with crème fraîche and salmon caviar — all with easy-to-follow instruction and fun back-stories. But her gastronomical passions are not limited to the savory — homegirl loves her sweets as well.

Brian Yocono: WCPO anchor and multimedia journalist Brian Yocono brings viewers the top nine things to do every weekend (along with our own Kenneth Wright)Now, we wont disclose whether or not he keeps a secret stash of snacks behind the news desk, but we can confirm that he's get a sweet tooth, making him a perfect Sugar Rush judge. Yocono joined the 9 On Your Side team in January 2012 after relocating from Portland, Maine. And no, he has nothing to do with The Beatles' split.

Cervilio Miguel Amador: Cincinnati Ballet principal dancer Cervilio Miguel Amador, originally from Cuba, joined the company in 2004. He's captivated audiences as Puck in A Midsummer Nights Dream, Basilio in Don Quixote and Don Jose in Carmen. Oh, you didn't think dancers ate — especially sweets? Forget what you saw in Center Stage. After grueling workouts and rehearsals, Amador can afford the extra calories.