FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

BATON TWIRLERS FROM ACROSS FLORIDA AND SOUTHERN GEORGIA FIND THE SPOTLIGHT AT 2008 FLORIDA STATE FAIR


- Fair Not Solely a Showcase for Livestock & Agricultural Competitions -

4800 U.S. Highway 301 North
Tampa, FL 33610
Phone (813) 621-7821             Fax (813) 740-3505             http://www.floridastatefair.com/

[NEWS RELEASE] TAMPA, FL. — January 21, 2008.  More than 150 participants from across Florida and Southern Georgia will travel to Tampa to showcase their twirling talents in the 2008 Florida State Fair Baton Twirling Championships.

The competition will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Feb. 16 in the Charles M. Davis Special Events Center.  Participants, ranging in age from four to adult, will compete in various twirling categories, including fancy strut straight line, super X-strut, basic strut, military, solo, 2-baton, 3-baton and duets.  Entrants will compete individually or as members of a twirling group, and all middle and high schools are invited to bring their twirling teams to the competition.

A special highlight of the competition includes performances by the University of Central Florida Starlet Knight Twirlers.

“This twirling competition is both exciting and challenging.  That is why we open it up to the public,“ explains Lynann Hudson, committee member for the 2008 Baton Twirling Championships, who emphasizes that the sport of twirling is growing nationally.  “Holding this competition here at the State Fair allows for each individual or group to show-off their twirling talents to a wide audience!”

The top three twirlers will be awarded gold, silver and bronze medals, and a special award will be presented to the Solo Twirl-Off Champions in the novice, beginner, intermediate and advance divisions.  The top two groups competing will also receive trophies.  

For more information on the 2008 Florida Baton Twirling Championship, contact the Event Coordinator, Lynann Hudson, at 813-621-7821 ext. 388. 

All acts, concerts, scheduled times, exhibitors, prices, and other advertised events are subject to change and/or cancel without notice.  Fair gate admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children ages six to 11; and free for children five and younger.  NO RE-ENTRY is permitted without an admission ticket.  Gates open daily at 9 a.m. and parking is free during the 12 days of the Fair. 

The Florida State Fairgrounds is located just seven miles east of downtown Tampa, with easy access via I-75, I-4, U.S. Highway 301, Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, and Orient Road.  For more information about the 2008 Florida State Fair, call toll-free (800) 345-FAIR or (813) 621-7821, visit http://www.floridastatefair.com/ or http://myspace.com/floridastatefair.

The 104th annual Florida State Fair will take place on February 7-18, 2008.  The Florida State Fair – always in Tampa and always in February – is organized by the Florida State Fair Authority under the leadership of Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.  Agriculture Commissioner Charles H. Bronson leads the Fair Authority, which oversees the Florida State Fairgrounds and the annual Florida State Fair.

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For media inquiries, please contact:
Denise Shreaves:  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  
Manager of Marketing & Public Relations
Florida State Fair Authority
Phone (813) 627-4314
Cell (813) 732-0141
 
OR

Vince Caruso:  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Marketing Director 
Florida State Fair Authority
Phone (813) 627-4222