Participants come for the mountains of chocolate and leave with an appreciation of history.
Feb. 24 marked the MSU Museum’s 24th annual Chocolate Party Benefit, which allowed the public to sample vendors’ chocolate, admire area chefs' and students’ masterpieces, and support the MSU Museum.
Chefs and students involved in the masterpiece competition drew their ideas from this year’s theme, “Chocolate in 3D!”
In conjunction with the competition’s theme, the MSU Museum brought artifacts from its new exhibit to the event, including early 1900s stereoscope viewers, human skull recreations and old, 3D comic books.
“We hope to get 300 or 400 paid attendants through the door,” said Mike Secord, MSU Museum’s facilities and event manager.
More than 500 chocolate and museum enthusiasts attended Sunday’s event.
The Chocolate Party raises funds to care for and preserve the MSU Museum’s extensive cultural and natural science collections, which comprise nearly 1 million artifacts and specimens. Recently, Chocolate Party proceeds have helped with the purchase of items such as protective cabinets and other preservation equipment.