The Gulf Coast Charity Celebration Association, Inc. announces new dates April 21- April 23, 2011 at Frank Brown Park in Panama City Beach, Fla. Thursday, Friday and Saturday shows will be more exciting than ever! We look forward to hosting our Walking Horses, Saddlebreds and Fox Trotters.
This year’s specialty act is Michael Griffin America’s Escape Hero, the only two time winner of TV’s World Magic Awards for Best Escape Artist! Dazzling and breathtaking as a performer, Griffin takes supreme escapes to the extreme challenge in many forms. He is the only escape artist granted permission to reenact Houdini’s 1912 death-defying underwater crate escape in 45 seconds and he is the ONLY escape artist to ever attempt and survive a thirteen-knot Hangman’s Noose in 52 seconds! America’s Escape Hero will be performing multiple acts over the course of the three evenings including the $1,000.00 Rope Challenge, the $1,000.00 Police Department Challenge and the Disarming Dare!
New events in Panama City this year include a Kiwanis Club Pancake Breakfast on Saturday from 7:00-11:00AM and an Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday at Frank Brown Park beginning at 9:30AM that will feature over 7,000 eggs for our children 10 and under.
The musical artist performing daily before the show and on Thursday and Saturday evenings are a Tennessee Walking Horse industry favorite, The Whiskey River Band! Performing on Friday night is nationally known and Billboard chart recording artist, Dr. Hulon Crayton and The On Call Band. His latest hit “Sax on the Beach” spent 15 weeks in the Top 30 on Billboard and peaked at number four on the Smooth Jazz Indie Charts. Professional dancers from the Fred Astaire Dance Studio will be dancing along to the music of The On Call Band and hosting a dance contest with prize money going to the winners. Also, back by popular demand for your Friday and Saturday morning workouts is Royce Reagan!
In organizational news, the Gulf Coast Charity Celebration is proud to announce the addition of Mr. Todd Fisher to its Board of Directors. Fisher’s love and devotion to the Tennessee Walking Horse and to the Gulf Coast Charity Celebration has made him an invaluable asset to President Phillip Griffitts and Treasurer Ben Lee. Mr. Fisher is a Towson University graduate with a BS in Economics and a Master of Business Administration from the University of St. Francis. Fisher is no stranger to Tennessee Walking Horses, having been brought up on a diversified farm in Asheville, North Carolina, where he owned and assisted in training Walking Horses until the age of 18. Not only has he had a lifelong love of the Tennessee Walking Horse and the industry, he has been affiliated with The Gulf Coast Charity Celebration since its inception in 1999 as a show manager.
Last but certainly not least, everyone needs to mark their calendars for the return of the PC Splash Classic on July 15, 2011 in Fayetteville, Tenn.! Panama City Beach will once again roll out the red carpet for Middle Tennessee with great food, great fun and great Walking Horses!