The rivers of chocolate will flow at the annual Chocolate Challenge, where fun and games with chocolate will reign on the stage, Saturday, May 18 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, May 19 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

At the 21st Annual Oakdale Chocolate Festival, there will be a few changes to the Chocolate Challenge games this year, with some new, timed events where contestants will try to beat the clock as spectators cheer them on in their chocolate matches. Since part of the Chocolate Challenge’s tradition includes a yummy dollop of messiness, some of that will remain, but there will also be some aspects of the games that make less mess this year, said Oakdale Chamber of Commerce CEO Mary Guardiola. She added that the new games may even be able to be expanded upon year after year at the festival.

Part of the move to a different type of competition this year, Guardiola explained, is that organizers wanted to get away from the ultra-messy games of the past. By starting the game-show style timed format, some events patterned after the popular ‘Minute to Win It’ game, the audience and competitors will have fun and there will be plenty to cheer about as participants try to win the game. The competition will also still feature plenty of chocolate, just not as messy as in the past, said Guardiola.

To take in your chocolate entertainment, check out the Chocolate Challenge Stage located on Yosemite Avenue and F Street near Chase Bank. The Chocolate Challenge game times are on Saturday at 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. In between the Challenge times, there will be alternating performances by USA Elite Gymnastics and Gym Stars at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 am., and 2:30 p.m., and Los Luceros de Osborne children’s dance group at 4:30 p.m.

The Sunday Chocolate Challenge game times are at 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 4:30 p.m. In between times, there will be martial arts performances by West Coast Martial Arts at 10:30 a.m. and Oakdale Mixed Martial Arts at 3:30 p.m.