FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACT: Heather O'Connell, Community Relations Coordinator, (239) 461-2924, hoconnell@leegov.com

6th Annual Chocolate & Spirits Festival to benefit Lee County Reading Festival

FORT MYERS, FL - November 23, 2004 -The sixth annual Chocolate & Spirits Festival will be held on Friday, December 3 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Bell Tower Shops, corner of US 41 and Daniels Parkway, in Fort Myers.

Presented by the Foundation for the Lee County Library System, the evening features live music, beverages and chocolate creations from area shops and restaurants. Admission is free and funds are raised via prize drawings, beverage sales and silent auctions for gift items donated by area businesses and restaurants. Smooth Jazz 107.1, the festival's media partner will be on site and will act as emcee for the auction.

Proceeds from the Chocolate & Spirits Festival will benefit the library system's Sixth Annual Reading Festival to be held on March 19, 2005. The Reading Festival is a unique celebration of reading and the only event of its kind in Southwest Florida. An estimated 20,000 people attend this free, one-day event. The Festival takes place at Harborside Event Center and Centennial Park in downtown Fort Myers, Florida. Best-selling authors from across the country appear alongside Florida favorites to talk about their writings and sign books for fans. Other highlights include adult and multicultural popular interest programs, student writing contest awards, storytelling, crafts, puppet shows, street theater performances, and music for all ages. Every child attending the Reading Festival will receive a free book and every teen will receive a free magazine!

For more information on the Chocolate & Spirits festival, please call the Lee County Library System at 479-4636. For more information on the Lee County Reading Festival, please call (239) 479-4636 or visit www.lee-county.com/library/ReadingFestival2005.htm.

-- 30 -