PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 6, 2008) – The Fourth Annual Edgewater Classic Gymnastics Invitational takes place, Feb. 15 -17, 2008, at Edgewater Beach Resort, 11212 Front Beach Road, in the heart of Panama City Beach, Fla.

One of the premiere gymnastics competitions on the East Coast, this invitational event draws top athletes from nine states. They can use their Edgewater Classic scores to qualify for their USA Gymnastics State Championships in March. Scores also can be used as national qualifiers for the Amateur Athletic Union Championships in June in Orlando, Fla.

The 2008 Edgewater Classic brings together 450 gymnasts, ages of 6 – 19, and coaches from Alabama, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Massachusetts, and Florida. They will compete in all four Olympic events: vault, bars, beam and floor exercise.

Sessions take place in the Edgewater Beach Resort Grand Palm Ballroom, beginning, Fri., Feb. 15, 6:00 p.m. They continue all day Sat. -- Sun., Feb. 16 – 17, starting at 8:00 a.m. The highlight of the event will be the Level 9 and 10 sessions, Sat., 4:30 -- 8:00 p.m., featuring the top competitors. Medals will be awarded to the individual event winners for each session and banners will be awarded to the top teams for each level.

The Edgewater Classic is open to the public. Tickets for adults are $10.00 per day or $15.00 for the weekend. Children’s tickets are $5.00 per day or $8.00 for the weekend. For more information and tickets, go online to www.edgewaterclassic.com

“Panama City Beach is proud to be the host destination for this premier competition,” says Dan Rowe, president and CEO of the Panama City Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau. “In addition to the outstanding facilities, young athletes will discover much to do here, from an award-winning beach to outstanding family attractions. They’ll also find the new Pier Park right down the street, offering popular options for shopping, dining and entertainment. We’re delighted to welcome the gymnasts to Panama City Beach.”

About the Destination
Panama City Beach boasts 27 miles of sugar-white sand beaches bordering the clear, emerald-green waters of the Gulf of Mexico and St. Andrews Bay. Condé Nast Traveler, 2006, cited the northwest Florida destination as one of America’s Most Beautiful Beaches. Additional recognition as a top beach destination comes from The Travel Channel, USA Today, Southern Living, Dr. Beach and the Clean Beaches Council. Family attractions, championship golf courses, sporting events, award-winning dining, predictably sunny weather and a vast number of recreational activities draw visitors to this seaside destination annually. For more information, call 1-800-PCBEACH (850-233-5070) or visit the official website of the Panama City Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau at www.thebeachloversbeach.com.