SALEM — If you're not in a Valentine's Day mood yet, then "Salem's So Sweet" may be just what Cupid ordered.
The 10th annual chocolate and ice sculpture festival kicks off today and runs through Tuesday, Valentine's Day.
A total of 17 ice sculptures will be displayed downtown. Ice Effects, a Rockland company, will finish all its ice carving by noon tomorrow. So far, the weather seems to be cooperating.
"I think it's supposed to be around freezing and overcast — that's a key," said Jennifer Bell, the manager of Salem Main Streets, which is sponsoring the event with the Salem Chamber of Commerce.
There will be a Stanley Cup ice sculpture outside Tavern in the Square; a Salem State University Viking in Lappin Park; a Salem witch at the Salem Witch Museum; and a large Native American piece outside the Peabody Essex Museum in honor of "Shapeshifting," a current exhibit.
Tonight's wine and chocolate tasting at Hamilton Hall is sold out, but there are lots of other events.
Clifford, the Big Red Dog, will be at Old Town Hall Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the kids. The family festival will feature Irish dancers and the Salem YMCA Theatre Group.
The Salem Jazz and Soul Festival is hosting a "En Amor Latin Dance" fundraiser Sunday night at Red Lulu, 94 Lafayette St. with free food and dance lessons.
Customers at J'Adore Romantic Gift Shoppe, which opened recently in Derby Square, will be serenaded by local violinist Larry Young tomorrow from noon to 2 p.m.
The Salem Theatre Company, meanwhile, is currently performing "The Real Thing," a romantic comedy by Tom Stoppard.
About 70 stores and restaurants are taking part in this year's festival, many offering free chocolate samples and special sales.
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