It’s been 55 years since film audiences first got to peer inside the factory of chocolatier Willy Wonka.
To mark the 55th anniversary of the 1971 movie “Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory,” four original cast members will visit Maryland for a two-day event.
The Chocolate Expo will take place Oct. 24 and 25, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day, at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium.
Gathering together for the first time in the Baltimore region will be Peter Ostrum, who played the Charlie Bucket, the protagonist who was poor-in-money but rich-in-family-love; Julie Dawn Cole, who played the spoiled Veruca Salt; Paris Themmen, who played the television-obsessed Mike TeeVee; and Rusty Goffe who played one of the Oompa Loompas, the orange-skinned, green-haired, little people who work in Wonka’s factory.
At 1 p.m. each day of the Maryland event, the Wonka stars will participate in a panel discussion, followed by an audience Q&A.
David Seltzer, the uncredited screenwriter of “Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory,” will also join the discussion. Seltzer will share insights into crafting the screenplay for the film, as well as the friendship he built with the late actor Gene Wilder, who starred as Willy Wonka in the original film.
The actors will be available throughout both days to sign autographs and take selfies with fans for an additional fee set: autograph for $40; selfie with a cast member for $30; autograph and photo combo for $60; autograph on your item for $50; autograph on your Funko Pop for $60. Prices are per cast member, per item, and cash only.
VIP ticketholders will get early entry starting at 9 a.m. and will have first access for autographs and selfies. They will also receive a VIP souvenir lanyard upon entry.
Vendors will offer a variety of foods and drinks to taste and purchase, including chocolates, baked goods, cheeses, wines, spirits, meads, and more.
The Chocolate Expo wouldn’t be complete without that sweet goodness in all shapes and forms, including fountains of dark, white, and milk chocolate; chocolate bonbons, chocolate bark, Dubai chocolate, chocolate-covered bacon, fudge, truffles, macarons, cake pops and other sweet and savory creations.
Among the Maryland vendors will be Kirchmayr Chocolatier, Far Eastern Winery, McCormick Bakery and Chocolate Factory, MFG Toffee & Bark Company, Mouth Party Caramels and Old Line Spirits. There will also be vendors from Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts and New Hampshire – and as far away as France, Germany, and Lebanon.
Other activities include a scavenger hunt, a kids zone with face painting and balloon art, a “name that chocolate” contest, a Wonka costume contest, a Wonka trivia contest, a sing-along with the original cast members, and more.
VIP tickets are available online only for $30 per adult and $15 per child (ages 5-12). Timed-entry General Admission tickets are $20 per adult and $10 per child (ages 5-12) when purchased online, or $30 per adult and $15 per child at the door if tickets remain available.
The event will also offer Late-Day Special tickets for $10 per person online (all ages 5 and up) and $15 at the door (if available). However, organizers strongly recommend purchasing tickets in advance to guarantee admission.
The reunion comes on the heels of Netflix’s new reality competition series “Wonka’s The Golden Ticket,” which debuted Sept. 23. In it, Goffe reprises his role as an Oompa Loompa.
A prequel movie, titled “Wonka” and starring Timothée Chalamet as the eponymous chocolatier, was released in 2023.
Presented by Baum Image Group, The Chocolate Expo is now in its 20th year and operates in seven states.
To learn more about the event, visit The Chocolate Expo website.
