USTA holding Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day

BY JESSICA LYONS

Wednesday, August 6, 2008 6:09 PM EDT

The USTA will get some of its youngest fans involved in the upcoming U.S. Open excitement when the 13th Annual Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day is held at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing on Saturday, August 23.

The day, which will include interactive activities, a concert and tennis clinics and is being presented by Hess, will begin at 9:30 a.m. and run through 4 p.m. Children will have the opportunity to test their tennis skills during the event while also getting to work with some of the tennis professionals.

At 2 p.m., there will be a live stadium show that will include tennis play and musical entertainment. This year’s concert will feature Demi Lovato, Colby O’Donis and Menudo. The show will be hosted by Susie Castillo of MTV and Quddus from Nickelodeon.

“Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day presented by Hess kicks-off the U.S. Open each year, bringing together the hottest young musical acts and tennis’ brightest stars,” said USTA Chief Business Officer Pierce O’Neil. “It’s a fun-filled day for the entire family while also honoring the legacy of Arthur Ashe, a true humanitarian and one of our sport’s great ambassadors.”

Other activities at Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day will include The Hess Express Obstacle Course, Valspar Paint Performance Challenge, Olympus Capture it All volley station, Nike tennis skill station, IBM Speed Zone, “CBS 2’s Eye on the Prize,” appearances by Nickelodeon’s Dora and Diego, QuickStart Tennis, USTA Adaptive Tennis, PTR Speed Tennis, USRSA Pro Racquet Round Up, USPTA Little Tennis, USTA “Beat the Pro,” player autographs, face painting, hair braiding, juggling, play spinning, and stilt walkers. Z100 DJ Shelly Wade will host the activities of the Hess “Get Pumped Up” Stage.

The cost of admission for the stadium show is $10 for promenade tickets and $20 for loge tickets.

Some of the event’s proceeds will benefit the USTA National Junior Tennis League, which was founded by Ashe, Charlie Pasarell and Sheridan Snyder in 1969.

The U.S. Open will run from August 25 to September 7.

For more information on the 13th Annual Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day and U.S. Open, visit www.usopen.org.