FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Media Contact:   
Karen Sloan / Library Development and Event Coordinator
(239) 461-2914 or ksloan@leegov.com

 

Indulge Your Passion and Support Your Library at the Chocolate & Spirits Festival

 

Fort Myers, Fla., September 26, 2008 ─ Locals have an opportunity to satisfy their chocolate cravings at a unique taste-testing experience and support a good cause all at the same time.

 

The Chocolate & Spirits Festival is back to offer the public an evening of sweet indulgence from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, October 25, in the Market Plaza at Gulf Coast Town Center in Fort Myers (off I-75, Alico Road, Exit 128). Admission is free. Tickets are purchased at the event for $1 apiece and traded for chocolate samples between 6 and 8 p.m.  Proceeds will benefit the Lee County Library System’s 10th annual Southwest Florida Reading Festival.

 

“Spirits” takes on a new meaning with the event falling less than a week before Halloween.  New this year, a costume contest for adults will add to the fun at the Chocolate & Spirits Festival.  Dressing in costume is optional, but great prizes will be handed out to the winners starting at 8 p.m.

 

The ninth-annual event will serve up an irresistible assortment of chocolate creations from about twenty of Lee County’s finest restaurants and businesses.  A Chinese Auction will feature a variety of gift baskets, one-of-a-kind items from fine shops, as well as gift certificates to participating restaurants.  Winners will be announced between 8:00 and 9:00 that night.

 

“We are grateful to Gulf Coast Town Center for hosting the event and to all the retailers who have been so supportive.  Market Plaza will be filled with an amazing assortment of chocolate cakes, brownies, and even chocolate tacos for people to sample,” says Karen Sloan, the event coordinator.

 

Returning supporters of the Chocolate & Spirits Festival can look forward to getting their fill on favorites like candies from Kilwin’s and chocolate-dipped fruits by Edible Arrangements, but at a fantastic new location.

 

The Geek Skwad, an in-your-face Vegas-style comedic eighties music cover band, will keep things rocking all night while Borders book store displays chocolate-themed books with a percent of sales going to the cause.  Blu Sushi and Norman Love are teaming up to deliver special potions to festival-goers.

 

For those who want to get an early start, there will be a Brushes & Bottles event at 55 Degrees Cool Wine & Cheese from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. the same day.  Sign up by calling 239.826.0737 to create your own painting while sampling delicious wines and cheeses from around the world.

 

For more information or a complete list of Chocolate & Spirits IX exhibitors, log on to the Lee County Library System Web site at www.leegov.com/library.

 

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