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Competitions on Land and Sea, Music, Arts and Prizes Reel in the Fun at the 2008 Oh Boy! Oberto Redfish Cup and Festival in Charlotte Harbor

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (April 21, 2008) – The Oh Boy! Oberto Redfish Cup and Festival coordinated for the 5^th year by the Charlotte Harbor Visitor’s Bureau promises to offer “fin”tastic fun for all ages and interests, from art- and dog-lovers, to boating enthusiasts, to anglers and spectators. The festival brings the excitement ashore with events, a free concert, competitions in water and on land and a variety of vendor booths, food and music for everyone to enjoy. There’s still time to sign up to participate in many of the interactive events. (Editor’s Note: Full schedule of events follows this press release)

The Oh Boy! Oberto Redfish Cup, the nation’s premier saltwater fishing championship, launches off the shores of Laishley Park in Punta Gorda, Fla., on April 25 – 27, drawing approximately 50 of the world’s top teams from all over the country for a first place prize of $50,000 and $180,000 in total payout. Back by popular demand, a Jumbotron screen will be on-site to allow viewers to easily follow the action on the water and see what ESPN will be filming at the tournament, which will air later in the summer.

New to the Oh Boy! Oberto Redfish Cup is “Net Gains,” a community-focused initiative that enables local youth to learn from the best saltwater anglers in the world. On Thursday, April 24 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the festival grounds at Laishley Park, a free fishing and conservation clinic for local Scouts and other area youth will be taught by the Redfish Cup pros themselves. Young fishing fans will learn everything from casting techniques to knot-tying to conservation principles, have photos taken with a pro and take home fun fishing treats. To participate in Net Gains, R.S.V.P. to Melanie Jarrett at 770-955-1300 or email mjarrett@careersports.com.

The crowd-favorite Splash Dogs show is an exuberant competition of canine jumps and measured leaps into a dock-side pool. Water-loving dogs with a penchant for such feats of fitness can enter the competition on site or at www.splashdogs.com.

Again this year, the “Relatively Redfish” art competition and sale, sponsored by the Arts & Humanities Council, Sea Grape Artists Gallery, and the Punta Gorda Visual Arts Center, is expected to feature more than 55 juried artists with cash prizes being awarded.

With a prize for “Most Dramatic Sinking,” the Charlotte County Young Professionals Cardboard Boat Race is a tragic-comedic race to see which stays afloat the longest. Homemade boats constructed of cardboard, tape and glue compete in a 150-yard paddle to the finish. To enter a craft, visit www.ccypboatrace.com or call Mitzi Maggio-Rigden at 941-575-0900.

Lake & Bay Boats will be offering free test-drives from Laishley Park Marina. On land, the Veteran Motor Car Club of America will have antique automobiles on display. Plenty of merriment will be on hand for kids, as Main Street Punta Gorda brings coconut bowling and other youth activities to the park. Seminole Casino-Immokalee will debut an interactive chance dice game with a variety of prizes. Popular local band Low Rent will play a free concert from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Saturday.

The event attracts more than 10,000 residents and visitors, making it the top stop on the Oh Boy! Oberto Redfish Cup Series. The series will be telecast on ESPN2 beginning in July; visit www.RedfishCup.com for more details. For more information on the Oh Boy! Oberto Redfish Cup and Festival, visit www.CharlotteHarborTravel.com.

About Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands

Located halfway between Tampa and Naples on the Southwest Florida Gulf coast, Charlotte Harbor & the Gulf Islands is Florida’s premier year-round eco-tourism destination. Known for its pristine beauty, the area has hosted seven major feature films, been featured on SAIL magazine’s list of the “10 Greatest Places to Sail in the United States,” ranked by Golf Digest as the “Third Best Place to Live and Play Golf in America,” and rated by MONEY magazine as one of the “Best Places to Live in the South.” For information about area events, activities and attractions, contact the Charlotte County Florida Visitor’s Bureau, 18501 Murdock Circle, Suite 502, Port Charlotte, FL; (941) 743-1900, or call toll free at (800) 652-6090 for a free Visitor’s Guide; or visit the Web site at www.CharlotteHarborTravel.com .

About the Oh Boy! Oberto Redfish Cup

In its sixth year, the Oh Boy! Oberto Redfish Cup is the nation’s premier inshore saltwater fishing championship. The nation’s top competitive teams compete at all events, creating the sport’s first true professional tour. The 2008 schedule consists of five events culminating with the Oh Boy! Oberto Redfish Cup Championship in October. Full 2008 tournament coverage can be seen every Saturday at 8:30 a.m. ET on ESPN2 beginning in July.

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Redfish Cup Media Contact: Melanie Jarrett, Career Sports & Entertainment, (770)955.1300 (office), (678) 848.0116 (cell); mjarrett@careersports.com

Festival Media Contacts:

Becky Bovell, Director, Charlotte Harbor Visitor’s Bureau (941) 743-1900; Becky.Bovell@CharlotteFL.com

Sean Doherty, Sports Marketing Manager, Charlotte Harbor Florida Visitors Bureau, (941) 743-1900; Sean.Doherty@charlottefl.com