Staff Photo by Laura-Chase McGehee/Chattanooga Times Free Press/ Jan 15, 2011 - Head Coach Darrion Walker, right, runs the Memphis Pride All Star Cheer team through their competition piece in the mezzanine of the Chattanooga Convention Center on Saturday. The annual Athletic National Championship cheer and dance competition was held at the Chattanooga Convention Center on Saturday and continues through Sunday.There will be a lot of spirit in Chattanooga this weekend when more than 14,000 competitors and spectators come to town for the Athletic Championships' two-day national cheer and dance competition at the Chattanooga Convention Center.
The event will feature more than 4,000 competitors, ages 3 to 18, on 208 teams from across the country.
"It's exciting to host such a professionally run organization like the Athletic Championships in Chattanooga. They bring in a high quality of young people who get out and have fun at our attractions, restaurants and shopping venues," said Bob Doak, president and CEO of the Chattanooga Convention & Visitors Bureau. "We're expecting nearly 14,000 people, who will leave an estimated economic impact of $5.04 million in our community."
The organization has hosted the event in Chattanooga since 2001. The impact it makes on the area is widespread.
"When you see them throughout Chattanooga, be sure to welcome them to our city," Doak said.
Athletic Championships also is a philanthropical organization. Last season, it started Cheer for Wishes, events where the organization helped raise more than $25,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Contact Karen Nazor Hill at khill@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6396. Follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/karen nazorhill.
IF YOU GO
* What: Athletic Championships' cheer and dance competition.
* When: 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
* Where: Chattanooga Convention Center, 1 Carter Plaza.
* Admission: $25 two-day adult pass; $20 for children; $15 and $10 one-day pass.
* Website: www.athleticchampionships.com.