Annual Chocolate Extravaganza Comes to Downtown Chelsea on Feb. 9

Chelsea will become chocolate central on Feb. 9, when chocoholics can spend a day indulging in their favorite sweet treat in the city’s fifth annual Chocolate Extravaganza.

The family-friendly event offers chocolate and Valentine themed treats and activities at more than 30 local shops and restaurants from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This year’s event will also offer shoppers the the opportunity to learn about the history of chocolate, see what cacao beans look like, and find out what the future holds for the food.

Jennifer Fairfield, owner of the Chelsea Garden Mill will be celebrating the event for the first time as a shop owner.

“I’ve enjoyed the event for years as a shopper and I’m thrilled to be part of the event as a business owner," she said. "It’s very rewarding to be part of a community that is as active and vibrant as Chelsea, and events like this are the perfect way to maintain that vibrancy.”

Fairfield will continue the Garden Mill's tradition of offering children a free “make and take” activity during the day.

During the weekend, the River Gallery will celebrate its 10th anniversary in its downtown location with a reception from 5 to 8 p.m., introducing new and showcasing current artists.

The Chelsea District Library will also offer “food themed” activities. Families are invited to the library for a program titled “Everybody Cooks.”  In partnership with the University of Michigan Museum of Natural History, the library will explore why the same ingredients or types of food are used, how geology relates to food, define cultural transmission, and participants will also get to make their own bread starter.

For more information, visit the ChelseaMich website.