Chocolate & Spirits Festival Oct. 25

Satisfy your 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, Oct. 25, in the Market Plaza at Gulf Coast Town Center. Tickets are purchased at the event for $1 apiece and traded for chocolate samples between 6 and 8 p.m. Prize winners will be announced between 8 and 9 p.m.

"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 at the end of the night for the winners.

The ninth-annual event will serve up an irresistible assortment of chocolate creations from about 20 of Lee County's finest restaurants and businesses.

"We are grateful to Gulf Coast Town Center for hosting the event and to all the retailers who have been so supportive. Almost every shop and restaurant within Gulf Coast Town Center will be serving up delicious desserts or represented with donations to the auction," said Karen Sloan, the event coordinator. "The auction items include a variety of gift baskets, one-of-a-kind items from fine shops, as well as gift certificates to participating restaurants."

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

The Geek Skwad band, a Vegas-style comedic '80s 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