11th Annual Johnny Ferlita Memorial Fishing Tournament Benefits PCF

Tampa, Fla. – April 30, 2012 – The 11th Annual Johnny Ferlita Memorial Fishing Tournament presented by Economos’ Entourage will be held May 18-19, 2012, in Tampa. The event benefits the Pediatric Cancer Foundation and honors the memory of “Tampa’s Speed King,” Johnny Ferlita.

The tournament is once again pleased to welcome Economos’ Entourage as the presenting sponsor, a charitable endeavor started in 2009 by Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Long Snapper, Andrew Economos.

The Johnny Ferlita Memorial Fishing Tournament will kick off on Friday, May 18th at 6:30 p.m. with the Captain’s Dinner Party at Westshore Yacht Club, 6001 Westshore Boulevard. Guests will enjoy a festive dinner party featuring live music from Shawn Brown, a chance drawing, and a silent auction.

Anglers will drop their lines in the water on Saturday, May 19th, at 7:00 a.m. and fish for Redfish, Spanish Mackerel, and Trout during the one-day, catch-and-release tournament. Following the tournament is a lunch and awards banquet where a $500 cash prize will be awarded for the biggest overall fish (within the tournament species) and for the biggest slam. New to the tournament this year is the children’s award division. All child anglers will receive a children’s angler bag and fishing equipment for their participation.

Through the efforts of Johnny Ferlita’s friends and family, the event has generated over $490,000 for childhood cancer research since 2001.

Ferlita was a native-born Floridian who took full advantage of the waterways in Florida with his enthusiasm for boat racing and fishing. Aptly referred to as “Tampa’s Speed King of the Waterways,” Ferlita set the world record for the Florida Family Runabout five-mile competitive race at 39.6 miles per hour. He became part of the U.S. Power Squadron in 1961 and was a member, instructor, and past Commander of the Tampa Power Squadron.

The angler entry fee is $175, which includes a pair of tickets to all social functions. To participate only in the fishing on Saturday, anglers can enter for $125. A guided boat option is also available for $1,500, which includes three angler entries and tickets to all social functions. All anglers receive a gift bag upon registration.

Guests who do not wish to fish can enjoy the Captain’s Dinner Party on Friday for $60 per person. For ticket and sponsorship information, please call the Pediatric Cancer Foundation at 813-269-0955 or visit www.fastercure.org.

About the Pediatric Cancer Foundation:
With its national headquarters in Tampa, the Pediatric Cancer Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to funding research to eliminate childhood cancer through the Sunshine Project, the Foundation’s collaborative research initiative. By employing doctors and researchers from the country’s top institutions, the Sunshine Project is fast-tracking the development of new drugs and therapies that will ultimately lead to the cure of childhood cancers. For more information, go to www.fastercure.org.

About the Pediatric Cancer Foundation:
With its national headquarters in Tampa, the Pediatric Cancer Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to funding research to eliminate childhood cancer through the Sunshine Project, the Foundation’s collaborative research initiative. By employing doctors and researchers from the country’s top institutions, the Sunshine Project is fast-tracking the development of new drugs and therapies that will ultimately lead to the cure of childhood cancers. For more information, go to www.fastercure.org.