The United States Tennis Association (USTA) has announced that Will Ferrell, multi-award winner and platinum-selling artist Jordin Sparks, rising stars Honor Society and Usher protégé Justin Bieber will team with former US Open champion Andy Roddick and additional superstar players for the 14th annual Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day presented by Hess. The popular full-day tennis and music festival for children and families – including interactive games, musical entertainment and tennis clinics – will be hosted by television personalities Susie Castillo and Quddus. The festivities are set for Saturday, Aug. 29 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The tennis and music festival kicks off the 2009 US Open, which runs from Aug. 31 to Sept. 13.
From 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. kids and families can experience an exciting schedule of interactive tennis games, music and attractions taking place throughout the grounds of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Returning to Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day this year is SmashZone, a fan fest located in the National Tennis Center’s new indoor facility, which will run from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Then from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., a live tennis and music stadium show will feature fun exhibition matches and skills competitions with Roddick, Ferrell and other top players and celebrities with musical performances by Sparks, Honor Society and Bieber.
For the stadium show, tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster (1-866-OPEN-TIX), usopen.org and at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center box office. Admission promenade tickets cost $10 and loge tickets are $20. Activities for the Grounds Festival begin at 9:30 a.m. and run until 1 p.m. The Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day stadium show starts at 2 p.m. and will be broadcast nationally by CBS on Sunday, Aug. 30, from noon to 1:30 p.m. Kids 12-and-under with stadium show tickets will receive a free Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day hat from the USTA and Hess on a first-come, first-served basis. In the event of inclement weather, ticket holders can log on to usopen.org for the most up to date information.
“Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day presented by Hess is a terrific way to kick off the US Open each year,” said Pierce O’Neil, chief business officer, USTA. “This year’s Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day will again bring together some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment for a fun-filled day for all ages. Additionally, this year’s event will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the National Junior Tennis and Learning network, a program that Arthur Ashe co-founded in an effort to bring the sport of tennis to economically diverse audiences throughout the country.”
More tennis pros and special musical guests will headline the grounds festivities from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. All the hot music on the Hess “Get Pumped Up” Stage will be hosted by popular radio personality Carolina Bermudez from Z100.
