The 5th Annual Chocolate Festival is one-of-a-kind when it comes to some of its flavors. For the fifth year, the Women and Gender Resource Center will be hosting the annual Chocolate Festival in the Shelby Hall Rotunda this Friday, Sept. 25th. While the event is planned to focus on gender issues and domestic abuse, some believe the sweet theme makes the whole experience a little easier to take in and understand.

Sandy Kemp, a baker and employee at Sweet Events Tuscaloosa will be donating to the event. Sweet Events is a catering and florist shop with locations in Tuscaloosa and Northport.

“We have participated for the past four years,” Kemp said. “Every year we donate our chocolate, which we melt and mix together, and put into the chocolate fountains.”

Another donation comes from Mary Caesar, owner of Mary’s Cakes and Pastries located on 22nd Ave in Northport. 

“We are donating double chocolate brownies with double chocolate chocolate buttercream,” Caesar said. “Although we cannot participate, we are trying to support the cause.” 

Cupcakes, cookies, cakes, brownies, fudge and many other chocolate creations are coming from various businesses in and around Tuscaloosa, whether small, family owned, or large chains. Other vendors that are donating to the event include: Angel Cakes, Crimson Catering, Edible Arrangements, Evangeline’s, Fresh Market, Full Moon BBQ, Gigi’s Cupcakes, Jason’s Deli, McAlister’s, Starbuck’s, Sweet Home Food Bar, Taziki’s, The Nut Shop and Dickey’s BBQ. 

Vendors that have already donated to the silent auction that is part of the event include: Five Bar, Gilda’s Salon & Day Spa, Mitzz Natural Skin Care, Nerium, Oz Music, The Pie Lab, Theatre Tuscaloosa, Tuscaloosa Flower Shoppe, Image Makers, Anna Kate & Co, Breakout Tuscaloosa, Dreamland BBQ and All Fired Up.

The funds raised at this event will help to support services and programs that the Women and Gender Resource Center provides to victims of various forms of assault. The funds will allow the center to offer free and confidential counseling to victims. 

“Without the help from the vendors and the funding from events like the Chocolate Festival, the WGRC would not able to continue to offer such valuable services and programs,” Paige Miller, coordinator for the Campus Violence Programs, explained. 

Participants may purchase a ticket for $8 to attend the event. Throughout the Shelby Hall Rotunda are various tables set up by the Women and Gender Resource that participants can visit to receive different chocolate goodies, as well as vital information on women’s health. One ticket allows the participant to visit five tables and receive five small desserts, which were donated by the previously mentioned vendors.

“We are focused on raising awareness on women’s health issues,” Miller, also a member of the Women and Gender Resource Center, said. “Along with the treats we will give every participant valuable information on women’s health issues such as breast cancer, ovarian cancer and domestic violence.”

The event is open to students and the public. Tickets may be purchased for $8 at the Women and Gender Resource Center, located at the South Lawn Office Building Suite 2000, or at the door the day of the event.