SI for Kids Tour Takes It To The Extreme

Sports Illustrated for Kids is taking to the streets again this summer with No Limits Tour 2005, featuring live performances from some of the best athletes on BMX bikes and skateboards and a host of sampling opportunities from top brands.

The No Limits Tour 2005 targets sports fans across 10 Six Flag amusement parks beginning this month. The tour, in its fourth year, is designed to complement the park experience and is free to attendees. Skippy peanut butter is the presenting sponsor.

Each tour day will feature three live shows, complete with aerial acrobatics and landing stunts seen at the X-Games, Gravity Games and other top competitions. In addition, fans can see airborne tricks performed live on a half box or jumpbox by a team of BMX bike and skate pros. A list of the tour dates and locations is available at Sikids.com.

BMX bikers participating in the tour include 2001 China X-Games silver medallist Joe Tecca, three-time X-Games gold medallist Trevor Meyer, professional stunt rider Austin Coleman and pro-skater Rodney Mead.

“The tour itself is really something for the whole family,” said Lara Chait, brand manger for Sports Illustrated for Kids. “Kids love action sports. They really connect to these athletes. It really brings the magazine to life for these kids.”

In addition to the performances and clinics, fans will have a chance to meet the athletes, get signed autographs and win prizes. Spectators can also play several interactive games, offered by Skippy, that activate the mind and body. In addition, Skippy will distribute Skippy coupons and offer a chance to win Skippy-branded skateboards, helmets and T-shirts to attendees.

Paramount Pictures’ Bad News Bears, a presenting sponsor, will give fans a chance to compete against each other via a free-standing arcade baseball game. Attendees also can see a preview of the film during the tour. Bad News Bears is a remake of the 1976 hit that follows a former minor league baseball player who is recruited to coach the inept team, the Bears, to a championship against the rival Yankees. The film hits theaters nationwide on July 22.

Friendly’s and Ferrara Pan will serve as the tour’s sampling sponsors. As part of the tour, Ferrara Pan will hand out its Lemonhead Candy and Friendly’s will unveil its Team Xtreme ice cream flavor, offering visitors temporary tattoos and coupons.

“For sponsors, [the tour] allows them to really get their products in front of these kids,” Chait said. “It’s never a dull moment.”

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