DELAWARE STATE FAIR SALUTES THE 1ST STATE'S CITIZEN SOLDIERS...Fair Designates 7/25/05 as Salute to DE Army National Guard Day"

HARRINGTON, DE - June 16, 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Note: A photo of Major General Vavala with the Delaware State Fair bear, Sergeant Freedom, is available by visiting http://www.delawarestatefair.com/index.cfm?method=pressroom.photos and entering your email address and password. The photo is located on the third row. In the event you have forgotten your password, please contact the Fair’s marketing department at (302) 398-5903 option 1.

When singer Toby Keith walks out on stage for his concert on Monday, July 25, he will be greeted in the Wilmington Trust Grandstand by his fans waving U.S. flags in support of the Delaware Army National Guard. It is part of a “Salute to Delaware Army National Guard Day” at the Delaware State Fair in honor of Delaware’s citizen soldiers. The flags, 8,000 in all, will be distributed by members of the Delaware Army National Guard who were deployed to the Middle East in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Major General Francis Vavala, Commander of the Delaware Army National Guard, will take the stage, prior to the start of the concert to recognize several returning Iraqi veterans and their guests--all of whom will have an opportunity to meet Toby Keith backstage.

According to the Fair's General Manager, Dennis Hazzard, "We are pleased to acknowledge with gratitude the sacrifices these Delaware citizen soldiers continue to make. Since Toby Keith is well known for his support of our armed forces in the Middle East, we thought it was appropriate to schedule our salute on the day of the super-star’s appearance." Hazzard noted that the acknowledgement doesn't stop at the concert. Prior to the concert, marching units comprised of Delaware Army National Guardsmen who have been deployed overseas, several National Guard vehicles, and a National Guard Honor Guard will be featured in the Fair's parade. Additionally, Hazzard has organized a program so that a portion of the proceeds from one of the Fair's souvenirs, Sergeant Freedom, the Delaware State Fair Bear, will be donated to the Delaware National Guard and Reserves Emergency Assistance Fund (DNGREAF). DNGREAF is a fund designed to assist deployed members and their families experiencing financial hardships due to their participation in the Global War on Terrorism. Hazzard described the limited edition SGT Freedom as being dressed all in red, white and blue while promoting "Support Delaware Military" on his back. "SGT Freedom will make a great item to send to a Delaware Army National Guardsman deployed to the Middle East," says Hazzard.

To offer your support of DNGREAF, you may purchase SGT Freedom by visiting the Souvenir Shop located next to the Box Office at the base of the Wilmington Trust Grandstand or by calling (302) 398-5020 or toll free (866) DEL-FAIR.