Hundreds gather for chocolate at the library

 

story and photos by Ruby Dean
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Today was a chocolate lover’s dream come true as area clubs, businesses, organizations, and individuals set up tables offering samples of their favorite chocolate treat at the 3rd annual Friends of the Library Chocolate Festival.

The festival was held 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., on Sunday (Sept. 25) at the Dallas Branch of the Fort Smith Public Library.

Hundreds of area residents came out to tour 20 booths which all supplied chocolate treats that would satisfy any sweet tooth. For $5, they could select six chocolate items from fudgy brownies to Mississippi Mud Brownies; from jumbo chocolate dipped marshmallows to Chococoffee Tart with Cointreau Whipped Cream.

Friends of the Library also offered gourmet coffee, hot tea, hot chocolate, and bottled water for $1. To-go boxes were also available for $1 each. Centennial cookbooks were for sale for $20 and Friends of the Library Memberships were $10.

Lindsey Garretson and Kendall Maddox, friends, both loved the chocolate treats and the chocolate was the best part of coming to the event. Lindsey saved a treat for her brother who could not attend because he went camping with their dad. Kendall’s favorite chocolate sample was the chocolate covered marshmallows.

Chocolate Festival participants included Altrusa International of Fort Smith, Fort Smith Historical Society, Fort Smith Noon Exchange Club, Fort Smith Public Library Board of Trustees, Fort Smith Public Library Endowment Trust, Fort Smith Regional Art Museum, Fountain of Youth Adult Day Center, Friends of the Library (DeLois Crawford), Friends of the Library (Louise Turner), Mary Edith’s Scone Company, Mr. John’s Salon and Day Spa, Pilot Club of Fort Smith, Project Compassion, Single Parent Scholarship Fund, SODEXO – UAFS, Sylvan Learning Center, Thirty-One Gifts, Union Christian Academy, and Zonta Club of Fort Smith.

“There are more people here than we have ever seen,” said Jennifer Goodson, library director for the Fort Smith Public Library. “Last year, we sold 364 tickets and have sold more this year.”

At times, the crowd was elbow to elbow as participants moved from one vendor to the next to sample the various chocolate treats. Today’s event also gave everyone not only a chance to sample chocolate goodies, but also to learn about the various nonprofit organizations and businesses in the community.