Marquette, MI – Local chocolate lovers were delighted this weekend as the 6th annual Chocolate Festival kicked off Sunday, February 8, 2015 at NMU’s University Center. 10 chocolatiers from around Marquette County were featured at this year’s event including the Cookie Jar, Sayklly’s, the Marquette Food Co-Op, Gophers Cafe, Super One Foods, Root 41 Restuarant, Aubrey’s Pizzeria, and Simply Superior from NMU.

Each vendor set up a stand offering their own unique versions of chocolate sweets from hand-crafted truffles to decadent cupcakes and more. The event also featured hot coffee, live entertainment, door prizes, raffles, and a silent auction. Each $10 ticket provided 2 hours of heavenly chocolate sampling and the satisfaction of supporting an important local organization, the Superior Alliance for Independent Living (SAIL).

The Chocolate Festival is organized each year by SAIL with all proceeds from the event funding their Single Point for Activities and Recreation program (SPAR).  The money is used to buy equipment and supplies for all program activities such as arts & crafts, yoga, dances, hiking, kayaking, snowshoeing, and more.