The national competition will be comprised of 80 teams who will compete in one of eight divisions, including a Special Olympics division. Teams will be traveling from cities around the country including Seattle, Chicago, Newark, Los Angeles, Boston, and Houston.
Teams are comprised of 8-24 skaters who have qualified for specific levels of competition. Evansville will have two teams participating – one in the Preliminary and one in the Open division. This is the sixth year of competition for the Open team who are currently the National Bronze Medalist for their division.
Organizers describe the competition as a cross between Disney on Ice for the costumes and pageantry and the Olympics for the adhering to the elements, rules, and requirements of the competition. Performances are choreographed to be lively and entertaining for spectators and fans of all styles of figure skating. The organizers hope to see the seats filled at the Ford Center for daily competition beginning on Thursday, June 22 through Sunday, June 25. Tickets for the four-day event are $50 in advance or $60 at the door. Daily ticket prices are $15 for adults – kids 3 & U are free. For more information on tickets and the schedule, go to their website at http://2017nationaltoi.com/
To recognize this prestigious event, there will be an Opening Day Parade in Downtown Evansville on Wednesday, June 21 beginning at 5PM in front of the Ford Center. The parade theme is “Americana†and teams along with their coaches, friends, and family members are encouraged to incorporate this theme in fun and unique ways that capture their team’s personality. A Team Spirit Award will be given to the team that best demonstrates their spirit using the theme during the parade. The parade will proceed down Main Street to the riverfront where teams will be feted at a private party at Shrinersfest.
For interview or other information, please contact Jill Plough at 812-204-0308 or Danielle Crook at 812-598-4988.
FOOTNOTE: For the first time, Evansville will host the 2017 National Theatre on Ice Competition at the Ford Center beginning Wednesday, June 21 through Sunday, June 25, 2017, thanks to the successful bid by The Greater Evansville Figure Skating Club and Evansville Sports Corporation.
