Cuties(R) California Mandarins Brings a Taste of the Winter Olympics to Chicago With the Presentation of 'Ice Dreams'

LOS ANGELES, March 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Fresh-off competing at the Vancouver Olympic Games, Johnny Weir and Rachael Flatt will fulfill the dreams of 100 Chicago-area junior skaters as they perform together in this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Former Olympians Melissa Gregory and Denis Petukhov as well as 2008 and 2009 National Champions Rockne Brubaker and Keauna Mclaughlin will showcase pair skating in the program. "Ice Dreams Presented by Cuties® California Mandarins" will be hosted by the legendary Dorothy Hamill and will showcase the medal-winning talents alongside the skaters of tomorrow in a two-hour spectacular on April 1 at 7:00PM, at the Edge Ice Arena in Bensenville, IL.

"Ice Dreams is simply that – a chance to make dreams come true for young skaters – performing alongside their Olympic heroes," said Tara Modlin, president of Fireworks Sports Marketing, producer of Ice Dreams. "Olympic dreams start every day at ice rinks across the world, and Fireworks is lucky enough to see young skaters become champions. And who knows, maybe our next Olympian will make their debut performance in Ice Dreams!"

The Cuties Corps d'Ice Skating

The 100 kids and teens will be selected in an American Idol-esque search at four casting-call events in the Chicago area. Ice skating classes will perform within their age and skill set categories. Judges' scores will then be tallied along with the fan votes from the audience to pick the show's lucky Cuties Corps d'Ice Skating.

"Cuties is excited to bring this skate-tacular experience to our biggest fans," said Ashley Martorana, Cuties Citrus director of marketing. "We hope fans and family will come out and cheer for their star skater."

About the Stars of Ice Dreams

Johnny Weir is a three-time U.S. National Champion (2004–2006), the 2008 Worlds bronze medalist, a two-time Grand Prix Final medalist and the 2001 World Junior Champion. As of February 2010 he is ranked eighth in the world. At the 2010 United States Figure Skating he was nominated to represent the United States at the 2010 Winter Olympics. At the 2010 Winter Olympics, Weir finished sixth overall.

"It is a supreme honor to skate in 'Ice Dreams' with such an amazing cast of skaters and I am delighted to be performing in association with Cuties," said Weir.

Rachael Flatt is the 2010 U.S. national champion, 2008 and 2009 national silver medalist and 2008 World Junior Champion. As of January 2010, she was ranked ninth in the world. At the 2010 United States Figure Skating Championships, she was nominated to represent the United States at the 2010 Winter Olympics and came in seventh place.

"Coming out of the Olympics and World Championships, I'm looking forward to hitting the ice with these talented junior skaters in 'Ice Dreams,'" said Flatt. "Plus, as a huge fan of Cuties California Mandarins, sharing stage with Cuties mascot Li'l Zipper will be sweet!"

"The only thing that is almost as exciting as competing in the Olympic Games, is to see today's talent up close whether I'm in Vancouver – or Chicago," said Hamill. "My personal thanks go out to Cuties for bringing such a sweet experience and fantastic show to the kids and their families."

Keauna McLaughlin and Rockne Brubaker formed their partnership in February 2006. Brubaker is a native of Chicago and proud to be skating with Keauna in front of a hometown crowd.  In the 2006/07 season, McLaughlin and Brubaker won gold medals at two Junior Grand Prix events as well as the U.S. National Junior title and the World Junior Championships. In 2008 and 2009, they won medals at each of their Grand Prix events and ended each season as U.S. National Champions.

Melissa Gregory and Denis Petukhov are four-time U.S. medalists and members of the 2006 Olympic Team. The pair is excited to come back and skate in Chicago, Gregory's hometown.

About the Host of Ice Dreams

Dorothy Hamill, most recently seen as the Olympic skating correspondent for Access Hollywood, is one of the most recognizable figures in American ice skating. Hamill was U.S. champion from 1974 through 1976. She made her big breakthrough at the 1974 World Championships in Munich, Germany. In 1976, she held both the titles of Olympic Gold Medalist and World Champion. After a competitive career, she went professional and was the famed Ice Capades headliner from 1977-1984. From there, Hamill was the World Professional Champion from 1983-1987. Her career and achievements have sense been recognized with her induction into the United States Figure Skating Hall of Fame in 1991 and induction into the World Figure Skating Hall of Fame in 2000.

About Fireworks Sports Marketing

Founded by former competitive skater Tara Modlin, Fireworks Sports Marketing is a New York-based sports and entertainment marketing firm with a large focus in talent management and event production in the sport of figure skating.

About Cuties® Brand

Cuties is a joint venture between Paramount Citrus Association and Sun Pacific. For more information about Cuties brand mandarin oranges, visit www.cutiescitrus.com.

To purchase tickets, log onto www.icedreams2010.com

SOURCE Paramount Citrus