Elite Groups of Varsity Cheerleaders and Dancers to Perform in Major Holiday Parades

MEMPHIS, Tenn., Nov. 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly 3,000 Varsity Spirit All-American campers from across the U.S. will perform in this year's holiday parades in New York City, Houston, Orlando, Philadelphia and London.  The cheerleaders and dancers participating were selected at Varsity summer camps across the country this past summer.  As proven leaders with superior cheerleading and/or dance skills, All-American campers represent the top 12 percent of Varsity camp participants.

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"Varsity is proud to celebrate its 27^th year of choosing camp stand-outs for its All-American program," said Melanie Berry, vice president of special events for Varsity. "These cheerleaders and dancers are leaders in their communities and embody Varsity's core values. We're honored to have them represent us at this year's holiday parades and bring cheer to folks in the U.S. and abroad."

All-American teams participate in the following holiday parades:

Thanksgiving Day Parades

• Macy's 87^th Annual Thanksgiving Day Parade: The famed New York City parade will host more than 700 junior and senior cheerleading and dance captains, co-captains and officers representing Varsity Spirit. This will mark the 20^th year qualifying cheerleaders and dancers from Varsity summer camps across the U.S. have been invited to perform. The parade will be aired on NBC at 9 a.m. EST.
• Thanksgiving Tour (Walt Disney World®Resort): More than 400 All-American team members - fourth grade and older - will participate in a pre-parade performance at the Magic Kingdom® Park Main Street USA Parade in Orlando, Fla. Team members were selected at 2013 UCA and UDA summer camps.
• Houston Thanksgiving Day Parade: More than 300 All-American team members - fourth grade and older - will participate in Houston's 64^th annual Thanksgiving Day Parade. Team members were selected at 2013 Varsity summer camps. The parade will be aired locally on CBS (KHOU) at 9 a.m. CST.
• 94^th Annual Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade: More than 150 All-American team members - fourth grade and older - will participate in the country's oldest Thanksgiving Day Parade in Philadelphia, Penn.  Team members were selected at 2013 Varsity summer camps. The parade will be aired locally on 6ABC (WPVI) at 8:30 a.m. EST.

Christmas/New Year's Parades

• Christmas Extravaganza (Walt Disney World® Resort): More than 550 All-American team members and All-American nominees of Varsity, Junior Varsity, Freshmen and Junior High Teams will participate in the Walt Disney World® Christmas Parade. Team members were selected at 2013 Varsity NCA and NDA camps. The parade will be aired on ABC Wednesday, Dec. 25 at 10 a.m. EST.
• London New Year's Day Parade: More than 750 All-American team members will participate in the London New Year's Day Parade. Team members were selected at 2013 Varsity summer camps.

For more information on Varsity camps or programming, please visit www.varsity.com. 

About Varsity
Varsity is the source for all things related to cheerleading and dance team.  With a rich heritage and traditions dating back to 1974, Varsity is an innovative global leader comprised of the leading spirit brands and organizations including its educational camps, clinics, competitions and uniforms to teams around the world. Varsity's National Championships, many of which are held at the Walt Disney World® Resorts, have been televised on ESPN Networks for more than 25 years.  Sponsors for Varsity events include Gatorade, Playtex Sport, Softlips, Oxy, PBTeen, and Herff Jones. Web-based Varsity TV features thousands of cheerleading and dance team videos and has become a favorite cheer destination for cheerleaders and coaches alike.  Varsity has led the way in cheerleading safety as a supporter of the American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators since 1987 and as a camp leader training more than 325,000 cheerleaders per year in cheerleading fundamentals with an emphasis on safety. In 2012, Varsity purchased American Cheerleader Magazine, which has showcased the cheerleading community since 1995. Based in Memphis, Tennessee, Varsity employs 5,000 employees nationwide.  For more information about Varsity, please visit www.varsity.com.

SOURCE Varsity