Boys & Girls Club to Hold Giant Barbeque & Carnival Honoring Famous Alumni

PENSACOLA, FL, April 29, 2003 – The Boys & Girls Clubs of Escambia County will hold a giant Barbeque & Carnival honoring famous Pensacola Club alumni Roy Jones Jr., Emmitt Smith & Derrick Brooks on Saturday, May 24 from 11:00 to 5:00 at Englewood Park (2751 N. “H” Street in Pensacola, corner of "H" & Leonard Sts.).

The fundraising Carnival is co-sponsored by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department, Myrtle Grove Fire Department and Finish Line sporting goods retailer, and will treat families to a day full of games, activities, exhibits, performances and contests. A large group of volunteers will host the activities and will serve hamburgers, hot dogs and other summertime treats to help kick off Memorial Day weekend. The Carnival is open to the public and activity/food tickets are available on site.

Younger children will enjoy the “moon walk” bouncing activity, a giant inflated slide, clowns making balloon animals and even a special section devoted to animals sponsored by The Zoo /The Zoo Friends of Gulf Breeze. The Mrytle Grove Fire Department will bring a fire truck and other fun fire safety programs. Older children can take part in a bicycle challenge course sponsored by the local Sheriff’s office, plus slam dunk & fitness contests and other sports games. The event is designed with all age groups in mind, from children to adults.

The award-winning Englewood Drumming Tigers drum team will perform throughout the day at the Carnival. This team won a competition in early April for the 97th National Conference Talent Search of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. The Drumming Tigers will travel to Orlando in mid-May on an all expenses-paid trip to perform for over 2,500 board members and staff from around the country at the Boys & Girls Clubs of America National Conference Finale Dinner as part of their prize package.

Famous Boys & Girls Clubs Alumni
Many Pensacolans are not aware that three of the town’s—and nation’s—most notable sports figures are alumni of our local Boys & Girls Clubs. The Clubs provided quality after-school and summer programs to the men when they were children, including sports and education programs. To remind the community of these and other successes of the Boys & Girls Clubs, city officials will hold a special ceremony during the Carnival proclaiming city’s pride at the alumni accomplishments.

Famous alumni are not new to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. This year’s National Alumni Hall of Fame inductees include Singer/Songwriter Neil Diamond, Academy Award winning actor Cuba Gooding, Jr., NBA legend Bill Walton, Florida Supreme Court Justice Harry Anstead, Olympic gold medallist Brooke Benton, WNBA superstar Swin Cash, Clemson University President Jim Barker, Pebble Beach CEO Bill Perocchi and actor Mario Lopez.

About the Boys & Girls Clubs
The Boys & Girls Clubs provide high quality youth development programs to children after school and during the summer. The Clubs achieve impressive results in raising grades and reading levels, in developing artistic and social skills, and in giving children ages 6-18 an environment of strong fellowship and support.

For more information on the Boys & Girls Clubs, contact Hattie McCorvey, Executive Director, at (850) 438-0996, or visit www.bgcesc.org.