mesothelioma

05.11.2009 – The Eighth Annual Johnny Ferlita Memorial Fishing Tournament will be held May 29-30, 2009 in Tampa. The event benefits the Pediatric Cancer Foundation and will honor the memory of “Tampa’s Speed King,” Johnny Ferlita.

This year the tournament is pleased to welcome Economos’ Entourage as the presenting sponsor, a charitable endeavor started by Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Long Snapper, Andrew Economos.

The Johnny Ferlita Memorial Fishing Tournament begins on Friday, May 29 at 6:30 p.m. with the Captain’s Meeting and Dinner Party at The Bay Club at Westshore Yacht Club, 6001 Westshore Blvd. Guests will enjoy a festive dinner party featuring live Latin music. A silent auction will also be held during the dinner party to kick off this annual event.

Anglers will drop their lines in the water on Saturday, May 30, at 7:00 a.m. and fish for redfish, snook and trout during the one-day, catch-and-release photo tournament. Participants will return to The Hula Bay Club, 5200 West Tyson Avenue, adjacent to the Tampa Harbour Yacht Club by 3:00 p.m. for a celebration and awards banquet provided by Datz Deli. This year there will be a $500 cash prize for the biggest overall fish (within the tournament species) and a $500 cash prize for the biggest slam.

To date, through the efforts of Johnny Ferlita's friends and family, the event has generated over $300,000 for childhood cancer research.

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. Prior to being appointed Chairman of the Board at the Central Bank of Tampa, he spent several years as the head of a family-owned beer distributorship.

A $200 entry fee for each angler includes two tickets to both the Dinner Party and Awards Banquet. To participate only in the fishing on Saturday, anglers can enter for $150. A guided boat option is also available for $1,250 which includes up to three angler entries and tickets to all social functions. All participants will receive a gift bag upon registration.

Guests who do not want to fish, but would like to participate in the fun of the Dinner Party, can purchase dinner tickets at $50 per person.

Sponsorship and media opportunities are available through the Pediatric Cancer Foundation. For more information, contact Amanda Polson at 813-269-0955 or apolson@pcfusa.org; or log on to www.fastestcure.org.