HERSHEY, Pa., Feb. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Valentine's Day just got a little sweeter at Daytona International Speedway with Hershey Foods' sponsorship of the Hershey's Kisses 300 NASCAR Busch Series race on February 14, 2004. The Kisses 300 race will feature a specially painted Hershey's Kisses #21 Chevrolet fielded by Richard Childress Racing. Kevin Harvick will look to continue his winning ways by racing the Hershey's Kisses #21 car in this premier Busch Series event. The race will be broadcast live on NBC beginning at 12:30 p.m. EST.

What could make the day even sweeter? How about a wedding? Teri Lewis, 36, a registered nurse, and Gene Konzen, 39, a firefighter from Indianapolis, Ind., will "Tie the Knot" as part of the Hershey's Kisses 300 NASCAR Busch Series race festivities. The wedding will take place live before thousands of spectators at the start/finish line prior to the start of the race.

Ashlie Smith also will be on-hand as Grand Marshall for the Hershey's Kisses 300 Busch Series race. This strong 14-year-old has been battling a brain tumor since 1998 and is being treated at All Children's Hospital in Tampa, Florida. Ashlie's dream to say, "Gentlemen, start your engines," is coming true with help from Children's Dream Fund and Hershey Foods Corporation. The Children's Dream Fund is a non-profit organization that has been fulfilling dreams for children with life threatening illnesses on the West Coast of Florida since 1981.

"We are extremely excited about the Hershey's Kisses sponsorship of the Kisses 300, the premier Busch Series event of the 2004 season," said Don Gates, Director, Hershey's Kisses brand. "It will be a day of fulfilling dreams. What could be sweeter?"

About Hershey's(R) Kisses(R) Chocolates

Hershey's Kisses Brand Chocolates, a little product with a big future, were first introduced in 1907. While it's not known exactly how Kisses got their name, it is a popular theory that the candy was named for the sound or motion of the chocolate being deposited during the manufacturing process. Milton S. Hershey, the corporation's founder, established a registered trademark for the "plume" extending out of the wrapper in 1924. A registered trademark for the configuration of Hershey's Kisses is their familiar foil wrap established in 1976.

About Hershey Foods Corporation

Hershey Foods Corporation (NYSE: HSY) is the leading North American manufacturer of quality chocolate and non-chocolate confectionery and chocolate-related grocery products. Some of the company's most popular products include Hershey's(R) chocolate and chocolate with almonds bars, Hershey's(R) Kisses(R) brand chocolates, Reese's(R) peanut butter cups, Jolly Rancher(R) and Twizzlers(R) candies, Hershey's(R) cocoa, and Hershey's(R) syrup. The company also is a market leader in the gum and mint category with such well-known brands as Ice Breakers(R), Breath Savers(R), and Bubble Yum(R).

SOURCE Hershey Foods Corporation
/CONTACT: Sue Karli, +1-717-215-2770 - cell, skarli@hersheys.com; or Judy
Hogarth, +1-717-215-3402 - cell, jhogarth@hersheys.com, both of Hershey Foods,
+1-717-534-7631/
/Web site: http://www.hersheys.com /