Salem’s So Sweet Chocolate & Ice Sculpture Festival begins Friday

SALEM – Chocolate and ice are taking over the Witch City.Salem Main Streets, the Salem Chamber of Commerce and local retailers, will hold the 8th Annual Salem’s So Sweet Chocolate & Ice Sculpture Festival – a decadent tradition of delectable chocolate and sparkling ice sculptures, beginning Friday and running through Valentine’s Day.The festival officially kicks off with a Chocolate and Wine Tasting event in Hamilton Hall, 9 Chestnut St., Friday at 6:30 p.m. The tasting event includes wine, beer and chocolate samplings from area restaurants, stores and sweet shops. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased in advance at the Salem Chamber of Commerce, 265 Essex St. or at Hamilton Hall the night of the event.Salem Main Street Manager Jennifer Bell said the event offers something for the whole family.”Come enjoy the brilliant ice sculptures in downtown Salem,” she said. “It is an event for the whole family to enjoy. It’s a really fun free festival.”With the exception of the chocolate and wine tasting, the festival is free and one highlight of the festival is sure to be the magical ice sculptures by Ice Effects, which is best known for its “First Night” ice sculptures.More than a dozen ice sculptures will be on display (weather permitting) throughout downtown Salem and at Pickering Wharf Feb. 6-7 including Max from “Where the Wild Things Are,” a phoenix rising from the flames, the Eiffel Tower and the Salem Witch. Maps showing the locations of the ice sculptures can be picked up at participating retailers and restaurants.New this year is an ice carving demonstration at Pickering Wharf on Feb. 6 at 1 p.m.”In the past we’ve had people ask for ice carving demonstrations,” Bell said. “It’s really amazing to see these go from a block of ice to a beautiful sculpture.”Approximately 30 businesses are offering in-store promotions and specials throughout the event in celebration of the chocolate weekend. Many of Salem’s finest restaurants will feature special chocolate offerings on their menus, including desserts, cocktails and inventive sauces. Participating Salem retailers will offer in-store promotions, innovative displays and items geared toward chocolate and Valentine’s Day. Many stores will offer free chocolate samples to shoppers. This year, collect a free the Salem’s So Sweet Golden Ticket as part of the festival. Visit 10 participating businesses, have your ticket validated and enter your Golden Ticket in the raffle to win a Salem’s So Sweet gift basket.Additional information is available by calling 978-744-0004 or online at www.salem-chamber.org.