BALTIMORE – The Baltimore Sun Media Group is the official media sponsor of the 2009 US Lacrosse National Convention, presented by adidas, and the sponsor of Fan Fest, the most popular event at the US Lacrosse National Convention. Fan Fest will take place Saturday, Jan. 17, from 12 to 4 p.m. at the Baltimore Convention Center. During this time, the largest lacrosse exhibition in the country will open its doors to the public. Over 140 vendors will showcase the latest lacrosse equipment, clothing, technology and more.

The cost to attend Fan Fest is $10 per person, which will be collected on-site in the Charles Street Lobby of the Baltimore Convention Center. A portion of the proceeds will benefit BRIDGE, a US Lacrosse program that works to introduce the sport of lacrosse and life skills enrichment to youth in inner city and underserved communities.

Fan Fest attendees can also view live field demonstrations, including Hall of Famer Tom Marechek’s (Glenelg H.S. coach) "Mechanics of Shooting" demo at 2:00 p.m.

"The Baltimore region is the true home of lacrosse, and as the most comprehensive source of news and sports in Maryland, The Baltimore Sun Media Group is excited to sponsor an event that brings this community together, " says Timothy E. Ryan, President and Publisher of the Baltimore Sun Media Group.

"The Baltimore Sun does an excellent job covering our state’s team sport, and we’re very thankful to have earned the paper’s support as media sponsor for the 2009 US Lacrosse National Convention," said US Lacrosse President and CEO, Steve Stenersen. "We’re excited that this event is returning to Baltimore for the first time in many years and look forward to hosting more than 5,000 men’s and women’s lacrosse coaches and administrators from across the country."

Registered convention attendees may continue to access the expo hall and live field during this time as well as throughout the convention weekend. For more information about the 2009 US Lacrosse National Convention please visit www.uslacrosse.org/convention.

About The Baltimore Sun Media Group
The Baltimore Sun Media Group, a Tribune company, publishes The Sun, baltimoresun.com, 30 community newspapers and magazines, and a growing portfolio of targeted print and online products, including b and bthesite.com. In print and online, the Baltimore Sun Media Group reaches 1.2 million readers each week in the Baltimore area, making it the region's most widely read source of news and information.

About US Lacrosse
US Lacrosse, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, is the national governing body for men’s and women’s lacrosse. US Lacrosse has more than 250,000 members in 60 regional chapters around the country. Through responsive and effective leadership, US Lacrosse strives to provide programs and services to inspire participation while protecting the integrity of the game. To learn more about US Lacrosse, please visit www.uslacrosse.org.