Four hundred fifty chocoholics braved the winds, cold and two feet of snowfall yesterday to devour local chocolate specialties at the fourth annual "Chocolate Fools Day," and, they said, it was well worth the battle.

"It's a hedonistic sensorium, if you do it right," said Cantabrigian Bud Struggle, who describes the chocolate experience as a "direct taste bud-brain connection."

The event was a fundraiser for the Cambridge Performance Project, Inc., a non-profit organization offering dance and theater classes to children ages five to 14.

Cookies, cakes, candy and the ever-popular "chocolate orgasms" were available at the show, representing over thirteen area chocolatiers. An entrance fee of $12 purchased 10 tickets, good for 10 chocolate samples.

Although attendance was down from past years and a few firms scheduled to participate could not make it because of the weather, patrons said it was well worth the trip.

One such confection aficionado was Philip H. Chang '94, who said he favored the frozen fudge cake "without a doubt." Chang said for him the event was a time for "feasting, relaxing, and celebrating [finishing his] midterms."

"I was surprised at the number of people that showed up despite the snow," said Diana L. Levine, a Harvard Extension School student who marveled at Sweet Dreams Chocolates' globe-shaped lollipops.

"We thought we'd be the only ones showing up, and we'd get to take everything home," Levine said. "But there are a lot of chocolate lovers out there."

The event will be profitable despite this year's lower turnout, said Pat H. Dixon, executive director of the project. "After all expenses, we'll clear about $2,000," Dixon said, contrasting this figure with the "between $3,000 and $4,000" accrued in the past.

And it will almost definitely continue next year, she said. "This is our fourth annual Chocolate Fools Day, and we plan to keep it going," Dixon said.

The loyal "Chocolate Fools Day" regulars were grateful for her assurances. Struggle "came last year and loved it" and has "been looking forward to [this year's event] all year."

Such sentiments were shared by others who refused to let the blizzard interfere with their cravings.

Clare A. Sammells '95, a two-time patron of the affair, said though last year "more restaurants were represented" and "the displays were more decorative," such details will not keep her away. "Hey," she said, "chocolate is chocolate.