(April 10, 2015) Epic Brand’s annual Reach the Beach All Star and College national cheerleading championship will take place at the Ocean City convention center on 40th Street this weekend, April 10-12.
The competition consists of cheerleaders ranging in age from 4 to 22 years old. They will compete in a two-day event, starting with the solo and small group cheer competition beginning at 5 p.m. tonight.
“This event is one of the biggest competitions in Ocean City,” said Epic Brand’s Marketing Director Karissa Hall. “Production wise this event has a beach theme and for some teams it’s a fun end of the year event.”
The cheer-filled weekend continues tomorrow at 8:00 a.m. with competitions taking place simultaneously in the performing arts center and hall until 7:30 p.m. On Sunday, cheer squads start at 7:30 a.m. and finish up around 8 p.m.
The event brings about 13,000 people to Ocean City and attracts thousands of spectators.
“We absolutely love Ocean City and appreciate all the hospitality the town offers to us at our Reach the Beach events,” said Epic Brand Managing Partner Lura Fleece. “The location is a huge reason why people love coming to our event.”
There are 276 teams competing this year from all over the East Coast including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, New York, Connecticut and Delaware.
All participants will receive a Reach the Beach exclusive beach towel and coaches have the chance to win a $5,000 cruise.
Several award ceremonies will take place throughout the weekend and all teams will receive a placement surfboard.
National champions will also collect a book bag and solo/small group winners will be given a trophy.
There are more than $11,750 in high score cash prizes up for grabs this weekend including four teams who will receive $2,000.
The season’s best award winner will receive a banner and the rebel award will be given to the highest scoring team not eligible for the Worlds competition.
Reach the Beach will be awarding multiple bids to the Cheerleading Worlds, which is the biggest competition in the industry for cheerleading.
To be eligible for Cheerleading Worlds, cheerleaders must compete at a prior event and win a “bid.” After receiving a bid, participants get the chance to compete against the best cheerleaders from across the world, Hall said.
At-large bids will be given out at the competition this weekend, which will qualify four teams for Cheerleading Worlds. In addition, two fully paid bids will also be awarded to the two highest scoring teams.
Reach the Beach will also be giving out bids to the U.S. Finals competitions, which is another bid event that teams must qualify for and to be eligible they must place in the top five of their level or division.
The April national cheerleading competition is one of three other Reach the Beach events that take place in Ocean City, including the national dance competition held during St. Patrick’s Day weekend.
Friday’s admission is $5 for adults (ages 13-64), children and seniors. Saturday and Sunday admission cost is $17 for adults and $12 for children and seniors. Children five and younger will be admitted for free. Three-day passes are available and cost $30 for adults and $20 for children and seniors. For more information, call 877-322-2310 or visit theepicbrands.com.
