FW: Hot WheelsR Coming to Watkins Glen for Grand Prix Festival

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Casey/Seneca Saw Works

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Aug 19, 2008, 7:25:25 AM8/19/08

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Some of you might be interested in this press release.

Casey

Media Release

Contact: Miranda Odell Polmanteer

Tourism Director

Schuyler County Chamber of Commerce

Phone: (607) 535-4300

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 19, 2008

GRAND PRIX FESTIVAL OF WATKINS GLEN SECURES HOT WHEELS® AND CHEMUNG CANAL TRUST COMPANY TO SPONSOR ANNUAL EVENT

WATKINS GLEN, Ny- The Schuyler County Chamber of Commerce and Watkins Glen Promotions are proud to announce that two major names have come together to support this year’s annual Grand Prix Festival of Watkins Glen. Hot Wheels®, the famous die-cast toy car brand, will be the title sponsor for the event, and, Chemung Canal Trust Company will be the presenting sponsor. Bringing in more than 20,000 spectators each year, the Hot Wheels® Grand Prix Festival of Watkins Glen presented by Chemung Canal Trust Company will take place on Friday, September 5, 2008 from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. on Franklin Street in Watkins Glen.

Started in 1993, the festival is held in conjunction with the US Vintage Grand Prix at Watkins Glen International and celebrates the community’s rich road racing history. This all day, free street festival includes family activities, sports car events, a judged auto show, live entertainment and even fireworks. The highlight of the event however, is a tribute to the Grand Prix races that once took place on the original 6.6 mile road course through the streets of Watkins Glen from 1948 to 1952.

In celebration of its 40^th anniversary, Hot Wheels® will be “taking it to the streets” with a multi-city tour that will travel from California and head east, culminating in Watkins Glen at the Grand Prix Festival.

At this year’s festival, Hot Wheels® will host a “Hot Wheels® Interactive Zone” filled with family friendly activities in the Community Bank parking lot, located on Franklin Street in Watkins Glen. The Hot Wheels® Interactive Zone will include kiosks for kids to create their own customized Hot Wheels® drivers license; a Hot Wheels® Trick Tracks area for kids to create customized track sets and stunts; and a 25-ft. Gravity Drag Track for racing Hot Wheels® cars. Additionally, the Hot Wheels® Interactive Zone will feature two life-size Hot Wheels® cars and an autograph signing session with Hot Wheels® designers. Hot Wheels® will also be giving away a limited number of commemorative Hot Wheels® 40^th anniversary 1:64-scale cars.

2008 also marks the 175^th anniversary for Chemung Canal Trust Company. A community oriented regional bank, Chemung Canal Trust Company has been the festival’s presenting sponsor for the past six years and has recently agreed to another three year partnership.

With additional financial and logistical support from Watkins Glen International, the Grand Prix Festival will help celebrate the 60^th anniversary of road racing in Watkins Glen. The festival is held annually in conjunction with the race track’s annual U.S. Vintage Grand Prix, scheduled this year for September 5-7.

With so many anniversaries to celebrate, the Village of Watkins Glen and the Grand Prix Festival are both very pleased to host the finale of the Hot Wheels® 40^th Anniversary Road Trip, and to receive continued support from the Chemung Canal Trust Company and Watkins Glen International.

Keep an eye out for more information regarding the Grand Prix Festival in Watkins Glen, NY. Brochures will soon be available with detailed event information for 2008.

For more information about this exciting event, please contact individuals from Hot Wheels®, Chemung Canal Trust Company, and the Grand Prix Festival at the following:

Hot Wheels®:

Erin Barrier, GolinHarris

EBar...@GolinHarris.com

Chemung Canal Trust Company:

Ron Allison, Director of Community Relations RAll...@chemungcanal.com

Watkins Glen International:

Eiron Smith, Director of Public Relations

esm...@theglen.com

Grand Prix Festival:

Marianne Shoemaker, Festival Management Team Leader mshoe...@theglen.com

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