MONS, Belgium — Three sweet events that lovers of chocolate might want to sample are planned for this week in the city of Mons.

Located just minutes from NATO’s Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, Mons is hosting its annual Chocolate Fest on Saturday. Two exhibits dedicated to the tasty subject will be held in conjunction with the fest.

Belgians are known for producing some of the finest chocolate in the world. It’s a national obsession that goes back to 1885, when Belgium acquired colonial Congo and its abundance of cocoa beans. The average Belgian consumes about 20 pounds of chocolate a year, according to a local news release.

Central to the citywide chocolate observance is the annual fest in the pedestrian zone on Saturday. Thirty vendors are expected to participate, offering displays and special demonstrations, such as cooking, sculpturing and taste testing.

An Easter egg hunt is also planned and some restaurants in Mons will add special chocolate delicacies to their menus.

For four days starting Thursday, there will be an exhibit at the Mons Theater on the Grand-Place hosted by a guy nicknamed “Mr Chocolate.” Jean Paquay is said to own about 50,000 items associated with the history of chocolate in Belgium.

Even a local library is sweet on the subject, sponsoring a display that runs from Monday through March 22. Held at the Maison Losseau on rue de Nimy, the theme of the exhibit is “chocolate passion.”

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