2015 Stars and Stripes Invitational Extends Competition

The Erie Sports Commission is pleased to announce the Stars and Stripes Gymnastics Invitational will return to the Bayfront Convention Center in 2015, adding a fourth day of competition for the first time. The date of the Invitational will also change, moving to Martin Luther King Jr. Day Weekend, from January 16 – 19, 2015.

Last year, the co-ed invitational featured over 1,400 competitors, making it the largest co-ed competition in Pennsylvania.  This year Erie Gymnastics plans to make it bigger and better.  The gymnasts may participate in Men’s Levels 4 through 10, Women’s Levels 2 through 10 and all levels in Women’s Excel Program. The Invitational’s Main Event will take place Saturday, January 17 and will feature the top male and female gymnasts competing simultaneously. Gymnasts have traditionally traveled from New York, Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Canada to compete in this prestigious competition.

The event, which was founded in the wake of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, features the largest United States flag in Pennsylvania, and offers free admission to all members of the military, police and fire and rescue workers.

“Since partnering with the Erie Sports Commission, our event has grown tremendously,” said Doug Pershun, Stars and Stripes Gymnastics Invitational Meet Director. “Because of this growth, we added a fourth day and moved the event to a long weekend to encourage participants to travel. As always, we anticipate that this will be an exciting competition for gymnasts and spectators alike.”

“The Stars and Stripes Gymnastics Invitational is quickly becoming the premiere gymnastics event in Pennsylvania,” said Ron Sertz, Executive Director of the Erie Sports Commission. “We are proud to be a part ofthis event and will continue to support it in any way we can.”

For more information, visit www.eriegymnastics.com.