The DeWitt, Mich., residents attended the 23rd annual Chocolate Party Benefit hosted by the MSU Museum from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Sunday at Kellogg Center, which drew in about 500 people and almost $15,000, an increase from last year, Museum Director Gary Morgan said. Proceeds from the event will go toward care and presentation of the museum’s collection, which consists of nearly 1 million objects, Morgan said.

The event featured desserts from local restaurants, bakeshops, candy stores and other vendors. Community members gathered to taste desserts ranging from cookies to brownies to crepes from a variety of local shops, such as Bake N’ Cakes, 3003 E. Kalamazoo St., in Lansing.

“What we try to do is always have some of the best and most creative sweets which are available in Lansing and in the Mid-Michigan area,” Morgan said. “Even if you’re not an absolute passionate lover of chocolate, as hard as that may be to believe, you’ll still find stuff here you’ll enjoy.”

There also was a competition among Michigan culinary artists and students who created unique and edible chocolate sculptures. The chocolatiers’ works were inspired by this year’s theme: Cabinets of Curiosities, which takes its name from a current museum exhibit and tells the story of the evolution of museums.

The Art Institute of Michigan student Justin Smith created one of the works of art, which was made entirely of chocolate and sugar and was inspired by 1850s artifacts such as old English keys and Tiki Bobs. Smith said the sculpture took about five weeks to construct, and although building it was a little stressful, he was excited about the final product.

The four works of art were judged by experienced local chocolatiers and chefs, who awarded first, second and third-place cash prizes and medals. There also was a people’s choice award so attendees of the event could have a chance to choose their favorite.

Ken Wright, an MSU alumnus and owner of Lansing bakery Wright Endings, 6015 Stoney Point Drive, has been participating in the event for more than 10 years and said he enjoys being involved with something that helps his former school.

“I’m a strong supporter of Michigan State and definitely a supporter of the museum,” Wright said.

Wright’s daughter, psychology junior Carlin Wright, came to support her family and said that the Chocolate Party always has been a family event.

“I’ve always loved cooking,” Carlin Wright said. “I grew up helping my family bake cakes. … I was always the egg cracker.”

Lansing resident Carmen Fahie said she enjoyed the desserts offered at the event — especially those created by American Crepes, 986 Trowbridge Road.

“American Crepes was off the chain,” Fahie said. “Chocolate is such a happy thing, and I am loving it.”