Press Box Archive
PARK CITY SPORTSFEST FAN FESTIVAL
KICKS OFF NCAA BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – March 3, 2008 – Park City SportsFest, presented by People’s United Bank, returns to Bridgeport to kick off the 2008 NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship first and second rounds. The SportsFest fan festival takes place Saturday, March 22, 2008 from 11:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. in downtown Bridgeport. The primary venue for Park City SportsFest is the People’s United Bank lobby and plaza at 850 Main Street. Additional activities will be held along Main Street between the bank and the Arena at Harbor Yard. At the same time, fans are invited to attend open practice sessions at the Arena, featuring the eight teams competing in the first and second rounds. Park City SportsFest and the NCAA open practices are free and open to the public.
Park City SportsFest is a free, multi-venue fan festival designed for family fun. SportsFest offers interactive and educational sports and fitness related activities for kids of all ages. Joining this year’s event will be BB the Bluefish of the Bridgeport Bluefish baseball team, Storm of the Bridgeport Sound Tigers hockey team, the Women’s Sports Foundation, the Connecticut Cyclones, and Fairfield University. In addition, the First Tee youth golf program will offer a mini putting green and golf club giveaways, First Hit will offer an exhibition of James O’Rourke memorabilia, the U.S. Army will have its ever popular rock climbing wall and Hummer, plus there will be oversized inflatables for kids to jump around and play in. Also on display will be the “History of Women’s Basketball,” featuring one of the largest collections of women’s basketball memorabilia courtesy of John Molina.
An annual SportsFest favorite is the sports celebrity autograph session, hosted by the Fairfield County Sports Commission. Leading this year’s lineup is former UCONN women’s basketball star Maria Conlon of Derby, and Garry Cobb, the ex-National Football League standout and a Stamford native. Additional celebs will be announced as they are confirmed.
With support from People’s United Bank, Park City SportsFest made a successful debut in 2006 as part of the festivities for the NCAA Women’s Eastern Regional basketball tournament hosted by Fairfield University at the Arena. As host city, Bridgeport rolled out the red carpet for teams and sports fans alike to welcome visitors to Connecticut’s largest city.
Presented by People’s United Bank, additional sponsors include Mitchell’s of Westport, the Southern Connecticut Gas Company, United Illuminating, The First Tee, and AT&T. Event partners include the City of Bridgeport Mayor’s Office, the Fairfield County Sports Commission, Fairfield University, the Downtown Special Services District, the Bridgeport Regional Business Council, the Bridgeport Chamber of Commerce, and the Arena at Harbor Yard.
For more information about Park City SportsFest, visit www.infobridgeport.com
Sponsorship, programming, and food vendor opportunities are still available. For sponsorship information, contact Tom Chiappetta, executive director, Fairfield County Sports Commission, at (203) 251-8481 or via e-mail at tomc@fairfieldcountysports.com. For programming and food vendor opportunities, contact Pam Amodio at (860) 871-6943 or pamodio@sbcglobal.net.
