Local Restaurants Serve Fans —
While Serving Needs of Armed Forces Personnel – At Fantasy of Flight's Third Annual Roar n' Soar
Ker's WingHouse and Cold Stone Creamery Pursue Taste Titles and Talent Contest Awards To Benefit Homefront Hugs USA and
Troops Overseas
POLK CITY, Fla. (October 21, 2009) – As some of the nation's top aviators take to the skies at the Third Annual Roar n’ Soar, teams from Central Florida and Tampa-area Ker’s WingHouse restaurants will also be "earning their wings" while employees of four area Cold Stone Creameries angle for "the inside scoop."
The super savory showdown will have flight fans "taste-driving" buffalo wings ranging from mild to wild, and marveling at the superior scooping skills of Cold Stone’s varsity dessert teams. The family-friendly All-American event at Fantasy of Flight is the aviation attraction’s signature two-day extravaganza and features some of the world’s finest classic land, sea, and air racing machines. The fast-paced festival takes place on the weekend of Nov. 7 and 8, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with doors opening at 9 a.m.
"Of course the contests are lots of fun and incredibly entertaining," confesses Kim Long, Fantasy of Flight’s general manager. “But presenting these in conjunction with Roar n' Soar serves a greater purpose. Fifteen percent of the proceeds collected by local Ker’s WingHouses and Cold Stone Creameries at the event will help buy care packages for overseas troops for the holidays through Homefront Hugs USA. We are proud to be working with these community partners to support our troops.”
Homefront Hugs USA will be at the event, enlisting volunteers and creating a workstation where they will prepare the care packages to ship to the troops. Children are invited to create cards for the packages at an on-site "creation station." And to further benefit the cause, Fantasy of Flight will provide Roar n' Soar guests with a $5 discount if they bring at least one select item to donate (with a limit of one discount per person, not to be combined with any other offers or discounts): bulk package of beef jerky, multi-packs of chewing gum, packages of note cards, packages of protein bars, multi-packs of canned fruit or a $20 AT&T prepaid phone card.
The goodwill drive is only one aspect of a high-octane event that now includes the thrill of culinary competition. Five Ker's WingHouses will send smokin' servers and their sauciest chefs to spice up the event with a variety of rip-roaring wings. In addition to Ker’s traditional menu, guests can choose from five competing flavors before voting for their favorite, with the winning store receiving a towering trophy and bragging rights as Fantasy of Flight’s "Wing Commanders."
As Ker's spices things up, four local Cold Stone Creameries cool things down as super scoopers fly through a portable six-flavor-and-assorted toppings sundae bar. Bringing their trademark mix of show business flair and a knack for after-dinner entertainment, the Cold Stone crews will dazzle audiences with their song parodies and high-energy antics.
"Picture Tom Cruise in ‘Cocktail’ – but this time he's using fudge and caramel and huge chunks of ice cream," explains Cathy Byrne, co-owner of four local Cold Stone Creameries. "Our crew knows how to mix the best ingredients – and they do it with flair. And talk about a sweet deal — the more ice cream we sell, the more we can give back to our troops."
Eric Ratcliff, Regional Manager, Ker's WingHouse, is also certain that no one on his teams will chicken out.
"Although each restaurant will be competing, our servers and chefs are all on the same side," he says. "And that's the side of the troops. Whatever we can do to get folks to come out and help fund more care packages, that's what we'll do."
Roar n' Soar is a two-day extravaganza that features classic land, sea, and air racing machines — many straight from Fantasy of Flight’s own hangars. During the event, daring pilots will throttle up and take off for exhilarating aerial maneuvers in airplanes from the "World's Greatest Aircraft Collection." The Jaguar Club of Florida and Sun Coast Jaguar Clubs will host a timed slalom event for competitive drivers; extreme sport cycling demonstrations are powered by the pure muscle of expert bikers; classic race boats and gasoline- and nitro/methane-powered radio-control model boats will be screaming across nearby Lake Agnes; and high-speed radio controlled aircraft and powered paragliders will be soaring across the sky.
"We are absolutely thrilled to work with Fantasy of Flight hugs fans and grateful to the patriotic restaurants and venues who have not forgotten what it means to serve our country," said Alessanndra Kellerman, Director, Homefront Hugs USA. "I will personally be there to meet everyone and welcome anyone in need of support or about to be deployed as part of the greatest deployment in Florida history. We need to all be ready to support these troops without conditions. Join us for this day of giving thanks to our heroes and enjoying Roar n' Soar and all its incredible racing machines and events!"
Fantasy of Flight is offering veterans and active military a special rate of just $15 for weekend passes that includes a free weekend child's pass (ages 6-15). Valid Military ID required at time of purchase. Discounted rate is not valid for additional guests.
Special one-day adult event tickets are $23 ($38 for two days), and include one free child’s ticket, with additional children's one-day tickets at $12 ($19 for two days). Special event ticket pricing cannot be combined with any other offers or discounts.
Each event ticket includes admission to Fantasy of Flight. For Roar n' Soar ticket and event information. call (863) 984-3500 or visit www.roar-n-soar.com.
To enlist as a Homefront Hugs care package volunteer, contact Alessanndra Kellerman at (412) 498-3855. For more information about Homefront Hugs USA, visit www.homefronthugs.com.
Participating Ker's WingHouse restaurants include Tampa, Brandon, Lakeland, Kissimmee and Winter Park. For more information about Ker's WingHouse, visit www.winghouse.com. Participating Cold Stone Creameries include Lakeland, New Tampa, Carrollwood and Trinity. For more information about Cold Stone Creamery, visit www.coldstonecreamery.com.