Champion Cheer Central Adds New Dance Event for 2017

The Erie Sports Commission is pleased to announce that Champion Cheer Central will expand its presence in Erie, PA in 2017. The Albion-based cheer and dance event company will host a new dance-only event in April, and will move its January event to the Bayfront Convention Center to accommodate larger crowds.

The Erie Winter Beach Blast Cheer and Dance Championships will be held Sunday, January 22, 2017 at the Bayfront Convention Center for the first time. The event was previously held at Family First Sports Park and featured 97 teams in 2016. Participation in 2017 is expected to increase due to a larger competition venue. Three full-paid bids to “The One Finals” will be awarded at the beach-themed competition.

Champions of Dance, a brand-new all-dance competition, will be held on Sunday, April 2, 2017 at the Bayfront Convention Center. A Jazz Master Class and a Hip Hop Master Class will each be offered the morning of the competition for $30 per class ($20 per class for event competitors). The competition will feature all levels and styles of dance, including All Star and Studio categories.

Champion Cheer Central will host the Lake Erie National Cheer and Dance Championships at the Erie Insurance Arena for the fourth time on April 9, 2017. The national event routinely sees more than 1,500 athletes compete from throughout the Great Lakes and Northeast regions.

The Lights! Camera! Action! Cheer and Dance Championships, the final Champion Cheer Central event in Erie each year, will be held in December 2017. The 2016 event saw record participation, with more than 950 athletes competing.

“Erie has proven to be a great central location for our events,” said Heather Petz, co-owner of Champion Cheer Central. “I’m proud of our partnership with the Erie Sports Commission and the growth we have seen here over the past several years. By hosting more of our events at the Bayfront Convention Center, I’m sure that growth will continue.”

“Heather (Petz) and Kim (Soder) of Champion Cheer Central have shown time and time again their deep commitment to Erie,” said Ron Sertz, Executive Director of the Erie Sports Commission. “I’m thrilled at the success they have found in hosting events here, and look forward to seeing these 2017 events succeed.”

Spectator admission to each of the events is $12 for adults, and $8 for children 5 and over.

For more information on Champion Cheer Central and all of their competitions, visit www.championcheercentral.com.

The Erie Sports Commission is committed to promoting the Erie region as a prime destination for sports and recreation. The major goals of the ESC are to attract, create, support, and host sporting and recreational events that have a positive economic impact on the region, and assist in maximizing the potential of all regional sports facilities and venues. The ESC strives to enhance the image of Erie by showcasing the community, promote wellness through healthy lifestyles, and improve the quality of life for community members of all ages.