EDISON – It’s a meeting of comfort food and comfort TV.
Four stars of classic television sitcoms from the 1960s and 1070s − three from “The Brady Bunch” − will be appearing at The Chocolate Expo this weekend at the New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center.
Three of the “Brady Bunch” kids − Barry Williams (Greg), Mike Lookinland (Bobby) and Susan Olsen (Cindy) − and Butch Patrick (Eddie Munster) from “The Munsters” will be at the event that celebrates chocolate, the food that soothes troubled souls, and nostalgic television that still manages to erase the everyday 2025 anxiety.
The event will also feature vendors offering tastings and sales of chocolates, fudges, candy apples, baked goods, specialty foods, ice cream, local honey, hot sauces, cheeses, and local crafts beverages at more than 90 booths. Fountains gushing white, dark and milk chocolate will be on display.
Three of the “Brady Bunch” kids − Barry Williams (Greg), Mike Lookinland (Bobby) and Susan Olsen (Cindy) − and Butch Patrick (Eddie Munster) from “The Munsters” will drop by The Chocolate Expo at The New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center on March 29 and 30.
Williams, now 70, is looking forward to this deep dive into the joys of chocolate.
“I will be looking for some good German chocolate,” said Williams. “I’m a dark cocoa guy. My favorite is dark chocolate and a little sea salt. But I also like chocolate with almonds and peanut clusters.”
Williams, who like the other actors will be available for selfies and autographs, said “The Brady Brunch” has a timeless message that resonates with 21st century audiences.
“It was a really nice example of what would be a functional family,” Williams said. “How would it work if mom and dad paid attention and listened and they approached discipline with fairness and it was the good lesson overall? And I think it’s relatable.”
Three of the “Brady Bunch” kids − Barry Williams (Greg), Mike Lookinland (Bobby) and Susan Olsen (Cindy) − and Butch Patrick (Eddie Munster) from “The Munsters” drop by The Chocolate Expo at The New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center in Edison on March 29 and 30.
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The sitcom ran for five seasons with numerous spinoffs, specials, cartoon series, movies, reunions and a variety show. Since the last original “Brady Bunch” episode aired in 1974, the show has never been off the air.
And the Brady kids have maintained their celebrity status and haven’t faded from the public scene.
“Being a Brady kid is a badge of honor,” Williams said. “It’s been a wonderful ride, and continues to be so.”
The Brady kids still think of themselves of “family” and always look forward to the “sweet memories, especially of the food that Alice, the maid, created such as her famous meatloaf and the “pork chops and applesauce” episodes. And they also remember the sweets Alice made for special occasions.
Three of the “Brady Bunch” kids − Barry Williams (Greg), Mike Lookinland (Bobby) and Susan Olsen (Cindy) − and Butch Patrick (Eddie Munster) from “The Munsters” drop by The Chocolate Expo at The New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center in Edison on March 29 and 30.
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“Alice was really our confectionary guru. We did have some pretty spectacular birthday parties for Peter, especially when his ego got too big,” Williams said. “We had to gather together as a family to show support, because he didn’t have any friends left. That involved cake with some chocolate in it. And we think of the Bradys in terms of just being the sweet bunch that they are. Carol Brady − Florence Henderson, the person − was actually born on Feb. 14, which made her extra special and sweet.”
The Chocolate Expo adds to that experience with “the two youngest and the grooviest oldest” kids, said Williams.
“We’re all still friendly and get together − I think it’s fun for us to all get together, which we do,” said Williams, who runs “The Real Brady Bros” episodic podcast with Christopher Knight, who portrayed Peter Brady. “It is a surprise to many, many of our viewers when we show up and we’re not actually kids anymore. We still get questions like ‘Did you really hit Marcia with the football?’ and “Why was Peter playing ball in the house?'”
His love for his Brady brothers and sisters is real, Williams said.
“Some of them I like better than my own family,” he said laughing. “The chemistry − which you can’t fake − is genuine.”
And though three of his TV siblings will not be at The Chocolate Expo, Williams said that just leaves “more chocolate” for him and the other “cool ones.”
And Eddie Munster.
Williams is happy Patrick will be joining them at the event. Friends for years, they see each other, as Patrick lives nearby in Arkansas.
For the past 14 years, Williams has lived with his wife Tina in Branson, Missouri. For six years, he lived the “Johnny Bravo” − his Brady Bunch rock star alter ego − life in the entertainment resort area, performing in “70s Music Celebration!,” a live variety show he produced and wrote.
Williams, who published his memoirs “Growing Up Brady: I was a Teenage Greg,” continues to sing, act and perform with no retirement plans.
Three of the “Brady Bunch” kids − Barry Williams (Greg), Mike Lookinland (Bobby) and Susan Olsen (Cindy) − and Butch Patrick (Eddie Munster) from “The Munsters” drop by The Chocolate Expo at The New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center in Edison on March 29 and 30.
The Brady kids will participate in a panel discussion, with an audience question-and-answer session, included with admission both days at 10:30 a.m. Patrick will appear in a panel each day at 1:30 p.m.
All will be available for autograph signings and photo opportunities at other times throughout the days, at prices set by the actors.
Events such as the Chocolate Expo have become multi-generational affairs, Williams said.
“I will say that I’m really looking forward to it,” Williams said. “I do enjoy coming to New Jersey, and it sounds like a really first-class event and a chance to taste some chocolate in all varieties, types and forms. It should be a really a fun, family kind of event. And we get to say ‘hello’ to lots of our viewers from over the years. And now we have parents and grandparents bringing their kids and grandkids.”
Go: 97 Sunfield Ave., Edison. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 29 and 30.Tickets are $20 per adult and $10 per children 5 to 12 in advance and can be purchased at thechocolateexpo.com. Tickets are $30 per adult and $15 per child at the door.
email: cmakin@gannettnj.com
Cheryl Makin is an award-winning features and education reporter for MyCentralJersey.com, part of the USA Today Network. Contact: Cmakin@gannettnj.com or @CherylMakin. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: ‘The Brady Bunch’ actors to appear at Edison’s Chocolate Expo
