Organizers plan entertainment for closing social

PRESQUE ISLE – With the 2006 Biathlon Junior World Championships winding down to the very last day of races, a local official said Thursday that organizers will “go out with a bang” when they host the closing gala event tonight.

The Mardi Gras-themed social at Slopes Restaurant and Brewing Co. on Maysville Street in Presque Isle will include a medals ceremony, music, a vaudeville act, a juggler, a magic act, a fortune teller, clowns and more, Tom Stevens, cultural and festivals committee chairman, said Thursday.

There is no fee for athletes, support staff, coaches or volunteers, but for anyone else who wants to attend the closing social, which will be held from 6:30 to 10 p.m., the cost is $15 per person. Organizers are expecting about 800 people to attend and said they have capacity for about 1,000 to take part in the festivities.

“This is a tribute to the athletes, coaches and support staff and a ‘thank you’ to the volunteers that made the 2006 IBU Biathlon Junior World Championships possible,” Stevens said.

Stevens said the night will include closing ceremonies, “thank yous” and recognitions, a fireworks display at 7:30 p.m. and the Mardi Gras-themed gala, which will take up the entire dining and conference room areas of the restaurant.

Officials will have two stages set up with performers rotating between stages in half-hour shifts. Performers include Michael Miclon, a standup juggler; Randy Judkins, who does a vaudeville variety act; Bruce McKenzie Johnson, a magician; the Presque Isle High School jazz band under direction of Dan Schneider; and Good Vibrations by DJ Steve Leighton.

On tree-lined “Bourbon Street” in the area, Jeri Brem will do psychic readings and Randy Judkins will work through the crowds. Anah Temple Shrine clowns also will do balloon art. Stevens said the event, which will include large food and bar areas, is “more geared toward an adult crowd.”

He joked that with the success of the opening ceremonies, which local volunteers pulled off last Friday, volunteers involved in the closing gala were feeling a lot of pressure to top the opening event.

Though Stevens declined to disclose how much the organizing committee is spending on the event, he did say that it is “being financially supported in the true spirit of a closing gala.”

“This is meant to have a lasting impression and it’s the last event of the biathlon,” he said. “Hopefully, people will go away in a festive, jovial mood and with fond memories of the biathlon. We’re definitely going out with a bang.”