INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The Mardy Fish Foundation and Jake Owen Foundation are pleased to announce that despite weather challenges, with the support of the sponsors and the Indian River County community, each activity of the event was sold out and Mardy’s Tennis & Jake’s Music Fest raised more than $145,000 through sponsorships and revenue from the Tennis Exhibition and Reception held on Dec. 9.
Although inclement weather and public safety concerns forced the rescheduling of the Concert, the 2011 Mardy’s Tennis & Jake’s Music Fest is the most successful event in the history of the annual fundraiser for the Mardy Fish Foundation and Jake Owen Foundation.
“I am very proud to announce that the sixth annual Mardy’s Tennis & Jake’s Music Fest is our most successful fundraiser yet,” said Fish. “I want to thank our sponsors and all patrons for once again supporting this important cause. Even though the weather did not cooperate, our attendees had a great time and have enabled us to make our biggest contribution ever to the youth of Indian River County.”
The Kids’ Tennis Clinic kicked off the weekend on Friday, Dec. 9 at Grand Harbor Golf & Beach Club. Approximately 100 children participated and received instruction from ten local tennis professionals as well as Fish.
That evening, a Country Western-themed reception, hosted by master of ceremonies sportscaster Brett Haber featured live and silent auctions and a Tennis Exhibition.
The sold-out reception hosted nearly 300 guests while the Tennis Exhibition brought in more than 1,500 patrons. Guests also enjoyed a dance performance by members of the Mardy Fish Foundation Dance Team and a presentation that included a question and answer session with Mardy’s Kids on Court participant Sebastian Mendoza.
The rain-delayed Tennis Exhibition began with a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem sung by Kaitlyn Bertrand who is a graduate of the Mardy Fish Foundation After School Program and featured one set of singles between Mardy Fish and Sam Querrey.
The crowd was then delighted by the arrival of tennis legend Serena Williams who was as a late addition to the stellar line-up of the Tennis Exhibition. Mardy Fish and Serena Williams won an entertaining 6-3 doubles match against Mike Bryan and Melanie Oudin.
As the players continued to play through the rain, all the fans stayed to enjoy the fun competitive points. Bob Bryan was on hand for the Tennis Exhibition and Reception, and Jake Owen also joined the crowd for the tennis matches.
Between matches the crowd was treated to a special performance by the dance teams from the Mardy Fish Music Club and Health & Fitness Club from Pelican Island Elementary School.
Due to weather conditions and public safety concerns the Jake Owen Concert with special guest Chris Young was canceled and will be rescheduled after the New Year.
The concert sold out Holman Stadium at Vero Beach Sports Village for the second consecutive year. A VIP Concert Reception for sponsors took place with 200 in attendance and additional items auctioned off.
To date, more than 2,000 students at 13 elementary schools participate in the Mardy Fish Foundation Achievable Dreams After School and Club Programs, and more than 1,000 children participate in Mardy’s Kids on Court.
The Jake Owen Foundation also continues to assist youth who are battling childhood diseases through St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
For further information about Mardy’s Tennis & Jake’s Music Fest, call C & H Events, Inc. at 561.394.9190 or visit www.chevents.com.