Memorial Contest and Music Fest Saturday Oct.24 2009

Dare to inspire…

Rock-the-Cradle for Johnny Romano

Rock-The-Cradle for Johnny Romano:

Rock-The-Cradle for Johnny Romano is a grass-roots fundraiser benefiting the Johnny Kicks Cancer Foundation. It features a World-Cup skateboard competition, and a local music festival. The contest will bring the biggest names in skateboarding, which will create ample public relations opportunities for our corporate sponsors.

The event will be covered by Houston’s electronic and print media. In addition, FUEL TV (national action sports cable channel) and the action sports print media will have coverage.

The combination of World-Cup Skateboarding and cutting edge local music will create a visual and musical experience, which will draw a broad spectator-base.

100% of the admission donation ($10 per person) will go toward the Johnny Romano Foundation. In addition, in lieu of monetary donations event attendees will be able to donate blood to the Gulf Coast Blood Center on-site.

The second annual Rock-The-Cradle for Johnny Romano Memorial Contest will be held Saturday October 24th, at the Lee & Joe Jamail Skate Park.

A World Cup Skateboarding (WCS) Sponsored Event:

Rock-The-Cradle for Johnny Romano has the endorsement of the City of Houston Parks & Recreation Department and World Cup Skateboarding. WCS is recognized as the world-wide sanctioning body for Pro Skateboarding. The WCS attracts the world’s best bowl-rider skateboarders.

Nick Parenti winner of highest carve in the cradle competition.

Sponsorship Opportunities: The sponsorship funds will be split between the athletes pro-purse and the Johnny Kicks Cancer Foundation.

Major sponsors:

• Lead Sponsorship/Event Naming Rights Donation, $20,000

• Autograph Table $10,000 donation.

• All pro-skaters will participate in a an autograph signing session for spectators.

• Music Festival naming rights $10,000 donation.

• Local bands will play before and after the contest combining music with skateboarding.

All major sponsors will have visible banner and table space for promotions. All sponsors will be included in all promotions, and event advertising.

Award ceremony: Pro-riders Ken Fillion and Sergio Ventura pointing at Johnny.

Big Air Winner: Lincoln Ueda

Location: Lee & Joe Jamail Skate Park (LJJSP)

The family oriented Lee and Joe Jamail skate park is one of the most successful skate parks in the country. It has attracted over 55,0000 skaters since it opened June 2nd, 2008. The park’s grand opening event attracted crowds in excess of 3,000.

Organizers: PUSH

Public Use Skate Park for Houston (www.pushhouston.com) along with Houston Parks Board spearheaded the fundraising effort for the construction of the LJJSP. The Rock-the-Cradle for Johnny Romano event was established by PUSH, last year. Johnny’s generosity, and relentless will to live epitomized what Houston skateboarding is about.

Pro-rider Chris Gentry with fans.

Pro-rider Rune Glifberg signing an autograph.Texas Skate Legend John Gibson with contestants.

Johnny Kicks Cancer Foundation:

The Johnny Kicks Cancer Foundation is a non-profit organization.  Its mission is to cure childhood leukemia through awareness and research, as well as empower and encourage patients, families and doctors in their fight against the number once childhood cancer.

About Johnny: Johnny Romano was and is an inspiring 10 year-old skateboarder, who lost his battle with leukemia last year. He became an international skateboard icon/celebrity, because of his relentless battle with cancer and his amazing generosity. Sales of Johnny’s pro-model skateboards, wheels and apparel raised over $24,000 for the Make-a-Wish Foundation. He also appeared in numerous TV commercials to raise awareness for the Gulf Coast Blood Center.

Johnny Romano

Johnny Romano and Gulf Coast Blood Center Johnny and Mike Romano

Johnny Romano

Dare to make a difference…