FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Andrew Staub
Communications Specialist
York County Convention & Visitors Bureau
717-852-9675, ext. 103 or astaub@yorkpa.org

Louise Heine
Destination Marketing Director
York County Convention & Visitors Bureau
717-852-9675, ext. 109 or louise@yorkpa.org 

YORK, PA -The Tim Weaver Battlefield Invitational is returning to York County for the second year in a row, with the regional gymnastics competition expected to bring thousands of youth athletes and spectators to the area this week.

The gymnastics competition runs Friday through Sunday at the York Expo Center's Utz Arena. As many as 2,200 athletes and spectators - hailing from Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, Virginia, West Virginia, and New York - are expected for the event.  Boys and girls ranging from ages 6 to 18 will compete in the event hosted by Hanover Gymnastics.

"Repeat business means that York is succeeding in accommodating visitors. Each returning competition supports the fact that York is a premier destination for sporting events," said Laura Gurreri, Sales Director at the York County Convention & Visitors Bureau. "When we bring events back to York County year after year, that also translates to repeat business for our hotels, restaurants and attractions. In fact, we expect the Tim Weaver Battlefield Invitational to generate more than $680,000 in estimated economic benefits for the community."

This year's Tim Weaver Battlefield Invitational will expand to use both sections of the Utz Arena, a 114,000-square-foot building well-suited for mat sports.

The event is open to the public. Admission is $12 a day for adults, $8 for students and free for children 5 and younger. Weekend passes are also available. For more information, please visit www.twbattlefieldinvitational.org.

"Hosting youth sports offers the greatest return on investment, considering the compounding economic potential for our community," said Mark Sindicich, Chair of the York County CVB's Board of Directors. "Youth athletes have the greatest opportunities to return as visitors, students and residents, ensuring York County's vitality for years to come."

The York County Convention & Visitors Bureau's Sport York program is designed to recruit events and generate additional economic impact in York County. Sport York positions York County as Pennsylvania's Premier Sports Destination, highlighting the area's dynamic facilities and central location on the East Coast. For further information about Sport York, visit www.yorkpa.org/sports.

The York County Convention & Visitors Bureau's Mission is to maximize tourism expenditures and their economic impact in York County, PA, through comprehensive tourism sales and marketing programs. The York County CVB's Vision is for a York County where tourism is recognized for the value of its economic impact and its role in raising the profile of York County as a sought-after destination. For more information on the York County Convention & Visitors Bureau, call 1-888-858-9675 or visit www.yorkpa.org.

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