``Disney Channel PremEARS in the Park'' Offers St. Louis-area Families a Free Night of ``Original'' Entertainment for All Ages.

Entertainment Editors

BURBANK, Calif.--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--July 7, 2000

Disney Channel, Reebok and Charter Communications Team to Bring Local

Event Featuring Movie Screening, Live Music from BBMak and Hoku,

Games, Prizes and Favorite Disney Character Appearances

Disney Channel, the leader in television for kids and families, will come to St. Louis during its fourth annual summer tour, "Disney Channel PremEARS in the Park." The event is presented by Reebok and Charter Communications, where Disney Channel is available as part of expanded basic service.

"Disney Channel PremEARS in the Park" will transform the Riverport Amphitheatre, an SFX Entertainment-owned venue located in Maryland Heights, Mo., into a one-night-only mini-movie festival on Tuesday, July 11 beginning at 6 p.m. (rain or shine). On a giant screen, kids and families will be treated to a free, local premiere of the Disney Channel original movie "Ready to Run," never before seen on television.

Along with the movie, families will also enjoy a variety of all-new Disney Channel-themed activity areas. At the "Reebok Traxtar Challenge" activity area, kids will get to try on Reebok's new Traxtar shoes and race through an obstacle course to test their speed and agility.

Additionally, there will be areas where kids can participate in photo opportunities on the sets of several different Disney Channel Original Movies, including "Alley Cats Strike!," "Rip Girls" and "Up, Up and Away," as well as a side stage performance by favorite Toon Disney characters sponsored by AT&T Wireless.

"PremEARS in the Park" will also feature performances by two rising musical acts, Hoku and BBMak, who recently starred in Disney Channel's "M2M and BBMak In Concert." Both acts will perform prior to the screening of the movie.

"Due to the overwhelming response we've received to the `PremEARS in the Park' the past three summers, we are bringing Disney Channel back to the communities of our kids and family viewers and making this year's events bigger and better," said Adam Sanderson, senior vice president of marketing. "With our partners Reebok, AT&T Wireless and Charter Communications, this year's event promises more activities and entertainment than ever before."

Canned food donations for the "Can Film Festival," a campaign coordinated by Charter Communications in support of the St. Louis Area Food Bank, will be collected on-site. Families are encouraged (but not required) to contribute to this charitable cause.

"Ready to Run" tells the story of 14-year-old Corrie Ortiz, an energetic girl who dreams of becoming a jockey in a predominantly male sport. Although her father died in a horse racing accident, it is his spirited memory that gives her the drive to try to achieve her goal, even though her mother is against it.

She also has the gift her grandmother calls the "confidence of horses," which allows Corrie to communicate with her horse who lives dispiritedly in his sire's shadow. Corrie and the horse's special relationship allows them to conquer their fears and win the California Derby.

Written by John Wierick ("Captive Heart: The James Mink Story," "Bopha!"), "Ready to Run" is executive produced by Bill Borden ("End of Days," "Get On the Bus," "Desperado") and directed by Duwayne Dunham ("The Thirteenth Year").

Local residents can call the Riverport Amphitheatre at 314/989-8080 for event information. Admission to the event is free of charge; however, there is a $7 parking fee at the venue. Seating is first-come, first served.

St. Louis is one of just 10 cities on the Disney Channel PremEARS in the Park 2000 tour. Other cities on the itinerary include: New World Music Theatre in Chicago (July 13); Merriweather Post Pavilion in Baltimore (July 16); Tweeter Center in Boston (July 18); Jones Beach Theatre in Wantagh, N.Y. (July 20): Riverbend Music Center in Cincinnati (July 22); Starplex Amphitheatre in Dallas (July 24); Blockbuster Desert Sky Pavilion in Phoenix (July 27); Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre in Irvine, Calif. (July 30); and The Chronicle Pavilion in San Francisco (Aug. 3).

Disney Channel, combining original series, movies and specials with timeless classics, is the only full-time general entertainment television network designed for kids and families. Disney Channel is a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Co.