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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Pete Johnson
Johnson Communications, Inc.
Scottsdale, Ariz. 85267
480-951-3654 (phone)
johnsoncom@aol.com (e mail)
ATTN: Society/Sports/Fishing/Outdoor Editors
LaMar/Mercury Grand Slam is Almost Sold
Out
Tickets still available to Public for Reception Party, Auctions,
Dance Benefiting the Tampa Bay based Pediatric Cancer
Foundation
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., -- Only a few angler entries remain available to fish in the Chuck LaMar/Mercury Outboards Grand Slam, a celebrity fishing tournament Nov. 9 –11, to help catch the cure for pediatric cancer.
But if you don’t have the weekend to fish you can still participate in the tournament’s gala celebrity reception including pairings party, buffet dinner, silent and live auctions and a dance band in the grand ballroom at the Renaissance Vinoy on Friday, Nov. 9. The fourth annual event is from 7 p.m. to midnight and benefits the Pediatric Cancer Foundation for research funding to find a cure for the many cancers that strike children.
Donations for the entire evening are $75 per person. For tickets call Betty Messler at the Pediatric Cancer Foundation office at 813-269-0955.
Reception and auctions gets public involved in very worthy
cause
“This gives area residents a chance to meet many of the nearly 50 celebrities fishing in the tournament,” said honorary chairman Chuck LaMar, GM of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. "What we raise will help a lot of sick youngsters in cancer research efforts,” he added.
"We have top managers,
current and former players from around Major League Baseball coming along with
other outstanding celebrities," added LaMar.
Among the celebrity entrants are present and former MLB managers and players Wade Boggs, Lou Piniella, Jim Fregosi, Jimy Williams, Hal McRae, Cam Bonifay, Ray Miller, Bobby Dews, Joe Niekro, Leon Roberts, Jimmy Key, Billy Koch, Gene Lamont, Steve Ontiveros, Von Hayes, Jeff Tam, Tony Saunders and Billy Hatcher; former NFL Hall of Famers Ted Hendricks and Lee Roy Selmon, along with NFL greats Steve DeBerg, Mark Cooper, Gary Dunn, Mark Cotney and Tim Irwin; TV fishing show hosts Shaw Grigsby, Orlando Wilson, Mark Sosin, Roland Martin, Stu Apte and Blair Wiggens; two-time NASA shuttle astronaut Bruce Melnick; Secret Service hero Eric Littlejohn; actor Ed Marinaro of Hill Street Blues and Sisters, Cory Wells of Three Dog Night and famed CNN reporter Bob Vito.
Multitude of Unique Auction Items
Festivities Friday evening will begin at 7 p.m. in the Vinoy’s grand ballroom and include the Crown Euro Cars pairings party, welcome reception, buffet and live and silent auctions.
“There will be plenty of food and drink and well over 100 items for bidders in the auctions including unique resort/fishing trips, premium fishing tackle, sports memorabilia, beautiful marine art and much more,” said tournament director Barbara Rebold.
“A Mercury Outboards 90 hp rigged 17' Mako flats boat, valued at nearly $20,000 is the top item up for bid in the live auction,” said Rebold. “We also have a one-year lease on a Mercedes from Crown Euro Cars and an awesome Devil Rays fly away package to New York next year when Tampa Bay plays the American League champion Yankees.”
“For the sportsman there are a half dozen fabulous resort trips around the state of Florida which include fishing with a top Mercury pro team guide from that region,” she continued. “There’s a turkey hunt TV appearance on Gobblin’ Fever, a quail hunt at the Gilchrist Club, and an entry into the famous Mercury Redbone celebrity fishing series in the Fla. Keys.”
“We have something for everyone. There are autographed photos including those from President George W. Bush, General H. Norman Schwarzkopf, Ted Williams and Muhammad Ali. We have autographed baseballs and bats, World Series tickets, All Star game tickets, tickets to Outback Bowl and an autographed space shuttle model from astronaut Bruce Melnick,” she added. “One of the top silent auction prizes we have again is U.S. Presidential memorabilia of cuff links and pens donated by former Secret Service agent Eric Littlejohn.”
She said the Friday night festivities also include dancing to top area band Full Circle with possible “jamming” by some of the celebrities.
Rebold said for those interested there are just a few spots available in the fishing tournament with a celebrity for two days of guided fishing for snook, trout and redfish.
“The cost is $2,000 and that includes all of the social events as well,” she said. Anyone interested can call the PCF office in Tampa at 813-269-0955.
“The Chuck LaMar/Mercury Grand Slam has been selected as a qualifying event for the 2002 Rolex/IGFA Inshore Invitational Championship next spring,” said Rebold. “The winning angler will advance to compete against the winners of other top inshore tournaments like the Mercury Redbone series winners from the Keys.
Top-level sponsors include Mercury Outboards, Mako/Bay Pines Marine, Crown Euro Cars/Mercedes Benz USA, the Steve Yerrid Foundation, the DuPont Registry, Florida Power, Outback Steakhouse and AutoTrader.Com.
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