Mmmmm. Chocolate. Mmmmm.

story and photos by Linda Kaufenberg

For those with a sweet tooth, the Chocolate Festival sponsored by the Friends of the Fort Smith Library was the perfect place. The festival was held between 2:30 and 4:30 p.m. on Sunday (Sept. 27), with more than 200 people touring 22 booths and for $5, they could select six chocolate items from white chocolate delight to fantasy fudge; from millionaires to children’s chocolate factory cookies. Friends of the Library sold to go boxes and bottled water plus cookbooks.

Chocolate Festival participants were Altrusa Club, Caplinger Law Firm, Deborah Elizabeth Vann, First Lutheran School, city of Fort Smith and Fort Smith Citizens Academy, Fort Smith Historical Society, Fort Smith Noon Exchange Club, Fort Smith Optimist Club, Fort Smith Public Library Board of Trustees, Fort Smith Public Library Endowment Trust, Friends of the Fort Smith Public Library, Holiday Inn CIty Center, Kumon Math and Rading Center, Louise Turner, Lynda Gavit, Project Compassion, Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Crawford and Sebastian Counties, Storybook Dreams, University of Arkansas at Fort Smith Center for Lifelong Learning, Union Christian Academy, Yolanda’s Sweet Creations and Zonta Club of Fort Smith.

"It was a lot more than we hoped," said Jennie Ballinger, technical services librarian for the Fort Smith Public Library. "This gives everyone not only a chance to sample chocolate goodies but also to learn about non-profits and businesses in the community."

Festival goers also had the opportunity to vote for their favorite chocolate table. All proceeds from the Chocolate Festival will be used by the Friends of the Library for special materials and programs at the Library.