Valentine’s Day. It’s coming.
Whether you’re a romantic, a cynic, or a reluctant celebrator, you are likely to embrace the one aspect of the holiday that remains constant year after year – chocolate.
So ingrained is chocolate in our collective mindset that the merchants and restaurateurs of Chelsea have built a festival around the delicious treat. And the accompanying holiday.
Chelsea’s 9th annual Chocolate Extravaganza is set for Saturday, Feb. 11. It’s a fabulous event that provides Valentine’s Day shopping incentives, raffles, and chocolate treats at participating stores, pubs, and restaurants.
Over 30 local businesses will offer a variety specials including: sales, discounts, freebies, trunk shows and, of course, chocolate in all kinds of shapes and sizes. This year’s event will include free Fair Trade chocolates samples at Global Marketplace, freshly baked Jiffy Mix goodies at Heydlauff’s, and a chocolate fountain at GiGi’s Flowers.
Lest you think it’s only about chocolate, the Garden Mill is offering kids a free “Make & Take” activity – a Valentine bird feeder. After a fabulous meal at one of the restaurants or pubs, be sure to order a yummy chocolate dessert offered on the menus that day.
The stores each have their own distinct atmosphere and carry a sweeping variety of goods, which makes shopping a fun experience. Bring your friends and loved ones on Feb. 11 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for a sweet and memorable day.
“How can you resist an invitation to shake off those mid-winter blues and join all of us chocolate lovers for this special weekend in Chelsea?
“Free parking, safe walkable streets, and pleasant shop owners await you. Nibble your way around our many locally owned businesses, warm up with some great chocolate drinks, and don’t forget to take home some fabulous gifts for the rest of the family. Valentine’s Day is just around the corner,” says Bob Pierce, executive director of the Chelsea Area Chamber of Commerce.
