First Annual Purchase Area Coffee and Chocolate Festival

By Cassie Johnson

Two things most people can agree they like are coffee and chocolate. This year there’s a new event that brings you both. Get ready for a day of decadent fun! A Centered Space in Gilbertsville is proud to present the First Annual Purchase Area Coffee and Chocolate Festival. Everyone is invited to the Calvert City Civic Center on Saturday, March 4 from 9am to 6pm

Dayla Lihon, the owner of A Centered Space, is excited to bring this event to our area. The Coffee and Chocolate Festival is inspired by similar events that take place in New Mexico where she used to live.

“The Southwest Coffee and Chocolate Festival is a huge event with over 25,000 people attending, Lihon told me. “We loved it and looked forward to being part of the delicious fun every year. When we moved to the Purchase Area we missed the event and decided to start one here - mainly because we want to attend it!”

Lihon has experience with running large events as she also started the Good Wu Healing and Arts Festival which is held in the fall. Her goal is to support local small businesses and introduce community members to new resources.

Admission is only $5 and covers entrance into the Civic Center, prize drawings, and presentations. All active military, veterans, first responders, and children 12 and under are FREE. There is no charge to visit the vendors in the Civic Center parking lot. Don’t let a chilly March day stop you from joining the festival because there will be a heated, enclosed dining area. Come enjoy a variety of food trucks and of course, coffee and chocolate.

Goodies for Everyone

Inside, the list of over 20 vendors is still growing. It might be a good idea to leave the calorie counter at home - you won’t be able to resist the delicious goodies you see and smell. Shop with local artisans, roasters, cafés, bakers, chocolatiers, sweet makers, apothecaries, and more. There will be coffee, cocoa, fudge, truffles, bread, cakes, toffee, teas, and sugar-free and Keto-friendly options - it’s a dessert lover’s paradise! There will also be house and home, bath and body products, and more. Prizes will be awarded for in three categories: coffee, chocolate, and other goods. Voters can cast their ballots anytime between until the show ends at 6pm

“We are excited to be a part of this event,”

Suzanne Walden, owner of Dub

House Coffee told me. “We can’t wait to welcome new faces into our community and watch our local businesses succeed. If you don’t like coffee, there will be a ton of other options to choose from and something for everyone. Bring your appetite and get ready for a great day!”

Health Benefits

Did you know that coffee and cacao have hidden health benefits? Research indicates that eating dark chocolate can reduce stress. Need I say more?!?

“These are among the world’s most revered plants,” Lihon told me. “We typically associate coffee with our morning routine and cacao with adored sweets. They both have powerful medicinal qualities as well. Coffee beans are packed with antioxidants and are high in fiber. Cacao is the superfood of all chocolates. It is full of essential vitamins and can help promote good bacteria growth in our gut.”

Workshops and Events

Admission includes the cost of presentations and workshops offered at the festival. Join classes such as a cacao ceremony, chocolate beanto-bar explanation, and a wine and dessert pairing class. No alcohol will be served - it’s a presentation, not a tasting. Marshall County Public Library will offer FREE crafts for the kids. Before the festival, a schedule of events will be posted on social media and the event website.

Proceeds from the festival will help support classes, workshops, free events, and scholarship opportunities at A Centered Space. Clients can find healing through yoga, meditation, and other therapeutic opportunities including painting. For more information, visit their social media or acenteredspacekenlake.weebly.com

“This is a great opportunity to meet new people in the community while supporting our small, locally-owned businesses,” said Lihon. “We invite you to come and find new places to shop and have a great day with us.”

Thank you to the sponsors whose support will make this day possible - Calvert City, Calvert Area Development Association (CADA), Dub House Coffee, Hidden Gems Apothecary, and Chocolat Inn and Café. For more information on the Coffee and Chocolate Festival including vendor questions, contact Dayla Lihon at acenteredspacekenlake@ gmail.com or call 270.216.0533. 