CALVERT CITY, Ky. (HEARTLAND WEEKEND) - The Purchase Area Coffee and Chocolate Festival is set to take place Saturday and Sunday, March 2-3.
The festival begins on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will run through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Calvert City Civic Center.
There will also be a special early shopping hour from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Sunday for those who prefer a more relaxed shopping experience.
Admission to the festival is $5. Customers receive a wrist band, and are able to take advantage of samples and drawings for giveaways.
This event was organized by Delasaria Lihon of A Centered Space, and is expected to provide guests with exquisite flavors, engaging workshops and a celebration of community and holistic wellness, according to a spokesperson for the festival.
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Lihon said the idea for the festival came from an event she would attend yearly in her previous home in the western United States. When she moved to the area, she decided to bring the concept with her.
In the event’s first year, Lihon said 3,000 people from 64 different zip codes attended, and all the food was sold out within the first few hours.
“We’ve expanded, so we’re now two days, more vendors, more food, and more chocolate for sure.”
Vendors include small start-ups, local favorites and non-profits/community services, aligning with the mission of promoting health, wellness and community support. They will showcase cookies, cakes, pies, cake pops, coffees, cocoas, teas, jellies, brownies, gelato, baked goods and much more.
Other unique options include savory goods, pet treats and products catering to keto/sugar-free, vegan and gluten-free preferences.
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“We’re excited to have two local resorts attending and highlighting their offerings, as well as engagement by the Marshall County Health Department, the Marshall County Public Library, Calvert City, Calvert Area Development Associations and other local agencies,” Lihon said. “This year there are several vendors from Illinois, and one from eastern Kentucky.”
Two of those Illinois vendors are from Evansville, and one is from Metropolis, Lihon said.
The festival’s workshop lineup features a series of engaging sessions including healthy desserts, making cake pops, alternative sweeteners and other coffee and chocolate-focused presentations.
Lihon said she’s very interested in holistic health, which is why so many alternative options exist at an event one might assume is pure sugar. “We try to include stuff for everybody.”
At last year’s event, Lihon said the winning chocolate was an alternative confection, a mushroom truffle.
The Closing Cacao Ceremony, featuring medicinal grade cacao and a heart-opening meditation, adds a touch of mindfulness to the festivities, according to a spokesperson.
There will also be food trucks outside the civic center serving pizza, dessert pizza, tacos and Chimney’s specials, as well as homemade Mennonite soups, fried pies, mini donuts among other items.
There is no admission price for the outdoor vendors.
For more information or the full schedule, visit their website, Facebook or by calling A Centered Space at (270) 216-0533.
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