NILES — Michelle Blandford’s mobile baking business, All Over Creations, takes her to locations across Michigan and Indiana. However, the entrepreneur said she loves an opportunity to sell desserts from her Niles base.   

This Hunter Ice Festival, Blandford will be doing just that. A food trailer stocked full of freshly baked desserst will be available in downtown Niles on Saturday and Sunday. Those who stop by will have their pick of beignets fried on the spot and dusted with powdered sugar, cookie dough cupcakes, soft pretzels and chocolate dipped waffles, to name just a few items Hot chocolate and coffee will also be available. Menu items range in price up to $7.

Blandford, of Elkhart, said she had a table at last year’s festival, but wanted to provide people with even more options for desserts this year.

“I really like to do things with the community that supports me as well,” Blandford said.

Blandford has operated All Over Creations for the last year and a half. Besides the menu items offered at the festival, Blandford is well known for creating multi-tiered and intricately designed wedding cakes. While she serves customers across Michigan and Indiana with her creations, she bakes in Niles Entrepreneurial & Culinary Incubator.

“I love Niles, even though I am not really familiar with all the nooks and crannies,” Blandford said. “Niles was one of the first [communities] to invite me to do Small Business Saturday. I feel like they are trying to help me grow and I want to see what I can do as far as being present in the community.”

By taking part in the Hunter Ice Festival, Blandford said she has an opportunity to make connections with customers and spread awareness about what she does.

“Not having a storefront is really hard to let people know, ‘hey, I’m here,’” Blandford said. 

Attending events like the Hunter Ice Festival also gives her a chance to garner customer feedback and get ideas for her next baking creation.

Since opening All Over Creations, the baker has sought to make desserts that stand out. Last year, she worked with Niles business On Base Productions’ owner, Charles Nelson, to create a system that can project images on a cake. Blandford also created “a cake on the go” dessert, which allows people to eat cake from a portable container.

This Hunter Ice Festival, Blandford said she looks forward to seeing what sculptures ice carvers will create. In addition, she said she hopes she can satiate the sweet tooth of festival goers.

“I’m looking forward to introducing people to new products,” Blandford said.

To learn more about All Over Creations, visit the business’ Facebook page.