Drew Lachey, National Performers Headline July 11 Kick Off to 2012 World Choir Games Countdown

CINCINNATI, OH, June 19, 2011 (Press-News.org) The countdown to the 2012 World Choir Games in Cincinnati USA starts officially on July 11, 2011 with a celebration event at downtown Cincinnati's Fountain Square taking place from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Cincinnati native, Grammy-nominated 98 Degrees member and "Dancing with the Stars" Season 2 winner Drew Lachey will emcee the event, introducing a variety of national musical performers and kick starting a yearlong cultural celebration in Cincinnati USA. 2012 marks the first time ever that the Games have been held in the United States. Visitor information for Cincinnati and this special event is available at www.cincyusa.com.

This July 11 makes an ideal reason for travelers to visit Cincinnati, as the city's Fountain Square comes abuzz with strolling choirs and festival-style booths celebrating the region's rich international flavor and heritage. Lachey will take the stage at noon, welcoming the following:
- Atlanta-based Gospel recording artist Byron Cage, known as the "Prince of Praise," will perform with more than 50 singers from the Cincinnati Citywide Mass Choir. Nominated for Grammy, Stellar and NAACP Image Awards, Cage has been performing and recording since the 1980s and is known for his cross-cultural, mass-appeal style.
- The Eleventh Hour Choir from Kettering, Ohio, finalists in the NBC hit show "The Sing Off"
- Singer and songwriter Kelly King, star of "The American Dream," presented at the 2010 World Choir Games in Shaoxing, China
- The debut of Whirl, the official mascot of the 2012 World Choir Games, who will be available for photos

In addition, Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau President and CEO Dan Lincoln, also a member of the 2012 World Choir Games Cincinnati Organizing Committee, will unveil the official 2012 World Choir Games Countdown Clock with Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory. The clock will be a fixture on Fountain Square until the Games close July 14, 2012. International pin trading opportunities - modeled after pin trading at the Olympic Games - will begin with the introduction of exclusive, limited-edition pins commemorating the Countdown to the Games.

"Cincinnati has spent more than two years preparing for the 2012 World Choir Games. With this amazing event is just one year away, the excitement and energy is really ramping up," said Lincoln. "July 11 will be a memorable celebration to start the countdown to the Games in earnest, and we have some amazing people lined up to help us do that."

The World Choir Games, produced by Germany-based INTERKULTUR, is the largest international choral competition in the world and is held every two years. The 7th World Choir Games will take place July 4-14, 2012, and for the first time ever will be hosted in the United States. The event is expected to attract 20,000 competitors from about 70 countries. Procter & Gamble is the first Presenting Sponsor of the 2012 World Choir Games.

ABOUT INTERKULTUR:
INTERKULTUR, based in Pohlheim, Germany, has ties to 120,000 choirs made up of 4.8 million choral singers around the world. In more than 20 years since INTERKULTUR was established, more than 5,600 choirs and 250,000 singers from 100 nations have taken part in the World Choir Games and INTERKULTUR's regional choir competitions.

For more information about the 2012 World Choir Games:
- www.2012worldchoirgames.com
- Facebook.com/world.choir.games.2012
- Twitter.com/worldchoirgames
- Flickr.com/2012worldchoirgames
- YouTube.com/2012worldchoirgames

Weirick Communications, Inc. is a Midwest-based PR firm focused on telling the world about great travel, culinary and event experiences. Contact Weirick Communications at 614.848.8380 or amy@weirickcommunications.com.