(Canastota, NY – June 2014) The International Boxing Hall of Fame is pleased to announce that 2014 Olympic Bronze Medalist Erin Hamlin will be a special guest in the 2014 Parade of Champions set for Sunday, June 8 in Canastota. The Parade of Champions is part of festivities planned for the 25th Annual Hall of Fame Induction Weekend June 5-8.
“The Parade of Champions is one of the most popular in Upstate New York and we are thrilled that Olympic inspiration Erin Hamlin will be in the parade,” said Hall of Fame director Edward Brophy.
Set for Sunday June 8 at 1 p.m., the parade will proceed through downtown Canastota (Peterboro Street) and lead to the grounds of the Hall of Fame Museum prior to the start of the Official Induction Ceremony honoring the new class of inductees.
Hamlin was born in Remsen and was first introduced to the sport of luge at age 12. She dedicated herself to the sport and captured the 2009 Luge World Championship in Lake Placid. A three-time Olympian, Hamlin competed in the 2006, 2010 and 2014 Games.
At the 2014 Sochi Games, Hamlin made history by winning a bronze medal – the first ever medal in singles luge for the U.S. (male or female), also making her the only American woman to ever win any Olympic medal in luge. Hamlin was honored with The Best of U.S. – Best Female Athlete Award, honoring the most inspiring accomplishments and outstanding peformances of Team USA at the 2014 Games.
Among boxing superstars Hamlin will be joining in the parade include Andre “S.O.G.” Ward. “Irish” Micky Ward, Erik “El Terrible” Morales, Gerry Cooney, Leon Spinks and 2014 Hall of Fame Inductees Oscar De La Hoya, Joe Calzaghe and Felix “Tito” Trinidad.
The grand marshal of this year’s parade is Miss America 2014 Nina Davuluri.
The parade also includes pageant caliber bands, as well as drum and bugle corps and pipe bands. Floats and community organizations are also featured.
“With the lineup of marching bands, celebrities and community organizations, this should be our biggest parade ever and an unforgettable day for all,” said parade chairperson Charlene Barres.
For more information on the Hall of Fame’s 25th Annual Induction Weekend, please call the Hall of Fame at (315) 697-7095 or visit online at www.ibhof.com.