What do treasure hunts, swashbuckling and providing free resources have in common? Each can be accomplished by attending this year’s St. Louis Public Library Foundation’s Stranger than Fiction: X Marks the Spot fundraising event to support Central Library.

Stranger than Fiction: X Marks the Spot will be held from 7:30 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, March 2, at Central Library, 1301 Olive Street, St. Louis, MO 63103.Tickets are on sale now. Proceeds benefit the iconic Central Library, an architectural masterpiece, St. Louis landmark and anchor for the St. Louis Public Library system.“Raising funds to support St. Louis Public Library's Central Library, helps leverage one of St. Louis' most important educational resources at a time when many do not have access to the internet, books and technology.” said Bill Donius, one of four event chairs for this year’s fundraiser. In keeping with the treasure theme, Stranger than Fiction: X Marks the Spot, will include pirates, sword fighters, a treasure hunt through the majestic Central Library, Walking the Plank (which gets more difficult as the event goes on) and Sunken Treasure.

Guests will enjoy live music from Downtime, a 360 video and photo booth, a 50/50 raffle, food by Ces and Judy’s with a Caribbean flare, drinks, beer donated by Schlafly Beer and Mermaid’s Tears, a signature cocktail designed by Chris LeBeau from Decoding Cocktails.

Bill Donius, Author, Speaker, and Ideation Facilitator, is joined this year by co-event chairs Liz DeBold Austin, President, EDA Consulting LLC; Rosalind Early, Journalist;  and Brooke Meek, owner and CEO of PLNK Fitness.

"I love the St. Louis Public Library, and Central Library in particular. My nephews and I love to come here over the summer and explore, play chess, read books and even come up with things to 3D print. It's such a great resource for the St. Louis community and I'm proud to support it…I love libraries. They make our societies better because they make us better by ensuring we can all gain access to knowledge”, said Rosalind Early.

“Central Library is a St. Louis treasure and the heart of the St. Louis Public Library system. By supporting Central Library, you support the Library’s work downtown, in our neighborhoods and beyond. In addition to being a stellar public library, Central Library is an architectural masterpiece and cultural destination drawing nearly 200,000 visitors a year. People from throughout the region visit to enjoy this beautiful public space, view exhibits, attend programs and yes, to check out books”, said Liz Reeves, Director of the St. Louis Public Library Foundation. 

Stranger than Fiction: X Marks the Spot is sponsored by the following individuals and businesses; Ulrike and Thomas F. Schlafly, Taylor Family Foundation, Ameren, Dowd Bennett LLP, Alison and John Ferring, Stifel, Bayer, BSI Constructors, Inc., Bill Donius & Jay Perez, Edward Jones, Lashly and Baer, P.C., Nancy Ridenour, Pedro Soares and Alex Fisher, Commerce Bank, EyePromise, Kiku Obata, Lewis Rice LLC, Joe and Mary Anne Sedey, St. Louis Magazine, St. Louis Public Radio, U.S. Bank, Villa Lighting Supply Inc., Ted Wight, Bank of America, Gerald and Ida H. Early, Carolyn and Kevin Farrell, Jennifer and Richard Gemberling, Sheila Greenbaum and Gary M. Wasserman, J. Russell Jackson, Esq., Nancy and Ken Kranzberg, Marcia C. Matthews and Albert Caiazzo, PLNK | STL, St. Louis American and UBS.

Special thanks to; Brickworks Theatre Company, Cravings, Frank Dahle, Decoding Cocktails, Jeff Kapfer, Schlafly Beer, and Victoria Szulc, the Countess.

St. Louis Public Library is made up of 16 public library buildings, spanning 67 square miles and serving more than 100,000 active cardholders. Central Library is the heart of the system, supporting the work we do everyday by providing access, resources, programming, technology and community to the residents of St. Louis.

Tickets for Stranger than Fiction: X Marks the Spot can be purchased online at slpl.org