EVERY BUNNY GETS TO BE A STAR

March 8, 2000, Flint, Mich.- The Ramada Inn and Conference Center at I-75 and Pierson Road, in partnership with Genesee Valley Center and Pepsi Bottling Group (PBG), are offering local kids the chance of a lifetime. Children from kindergarten to eighth grade will have the chance to compete in a karaoke contest and the finalist will appear on an upcoming Ruthie Van Gilder CD.

But time is short! Children must register at the Ramada Inn this weekend on Sunday, March 12 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Audition and practice time is set for the next three Sundays and the actual competition begins on Sunday, April 9 at the Ramada Inn. At registration on Sunday, each child will be assigned dates and times to practice. Registration fee is $5 per child, which is nonrefundable and designated to support the Children´s Miracle Network charity.

The contest will be divided into three age divisions. The first division is for children from kindergarten to third grade. The second division is for children in fourth through sixth grade and the final division is for children in seventh and eighth grade. Each division will go through three rounds to qualify for the final competition to be held at Genesee Valley Center on Sunday, May 21 at 3 p.m.

Children interested in participating in the contest will be consulted on stage presence and song selection. All registrants will receive a token prize. Children will be asked to pick three songs. The songs are on a first-come, first serve basis. If a song has already been chosen, the child will be required to choose another song. Parent or guardian must sign registration and release forms in order for their child to perform in public.

Three Sundays have been designated for auditioning and practice. Kindergartners through third graders will practice on Sunday, March 19, fourth through sixth graders will practice on Sunday, March 26; and seventh and eighth graders will practice on Sunday, April 2. A team of judges during these practice rounds will determine which children move on to competition.

During the competition on Sunday, April 9, Sunday, April 16, Sunday, April 30 and Sunday, May 7, three children in each division will be selected to participate in the finals on Sunday, May 21. Prizes will be awarded to first, second and third place winners in each division. Prizes will be offered by the Ramada Inn and Conference Center, Pepsi Bottling and Genesee Valley Center.

"We are excited to offer the children this opportunity to showcase their performing talents, "said Joe Osborne, sales and marketing, Ramada Inn and Conference Center. "We will be looking at the next stars of tomorrow."

The finals will be featured on Ruthie Van Gilder´s upcoming CD being produced in mid-May. Ruthie and her Macaw Bird, Flip´em perform each Wednesday at the Junkano Lounge at the Ramada Inn on Pierson Road. She has produced nine CDs and has appeared at numerous charity functions and corporate events.

"When Joe Osbornc from the Ramada Inn and Conference Center approached Genesee Valley Center with this idea, we were thrilled," said Lili Donaldson, marketing manager at Genesee. "We are always looking for creative offerings to match our message that Genesee Valley Center is a "one-of-a-kind" shopping experience. This certainly fits the bill."

Ramada Inn and Conference Center, located at I-75 and Pierson Road in Mt. Morris Township offers 190 remodeled guestrooms, a state-of-the-art fitness center complete with indoor pool, sauna, Whirlpool, Hex Tanning and tennis courts. Also available for meetings, the Ramada Inn and Conference Center has complete conference and banquet facilities for up to 350 people. Visit their web site at http://www.ramadaflint.com.

Genesee Valley Center, located on the corner of Miller and Linden roads in Flint Township, is the largest regional shopping center in Genesee County. The Center features specialty stores such as The Disney Store, Gymboree, 100% Girls, Pearl Vision and The Buckle, to name a few. The five department stores are Hudson´s, JC Penney, Mervyn´s, Montgomery Ward and Sears. Mall hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sundays, noon to 6 p.m. For an up-to-date listing on special events visit the website at Geneseemall.com or call The Shopping Line at 732-4000.