USRowing and RegattaCentral.com have announced that The Knoxville Rowing Association (KRA) will host the 31st Annual Head of the Tennessee Regatta, October 28, 2006.

 More than 2,000 of the best rowers representing up to 48 states, will travel to Knoxville to compete in the largest and oldest rowing regatta in the Southeast. The 31st Annual Head of the Tennessee Regatta will move this year from Sequoyah Hills Park to the downtown Knoxville waterfront. Hailed as one of the most prestigious regattas in the world, the regatta will feature rowers from college aged to competitors well into their eighties and nineties. "We are excited to bring the Head of the Tennessee Regatta to Knoxville's developing waterfront," said Becky Hancock, President of KRA. "All preparations for the regatta are in full swing. The regatta will be a great event for competitors, and for all those who attend or get involved. We are planning some great features for our visitors to experience Knoxville and the developing waterfront area."Event organizers are currently finalizing partnerships with area businesses and hotels to participate in the event. In addition, the Regatta is presently searching for corporate sponsors. "We are developing some fantastic sponsorship and partnership opportunities for these companies who want to get involved," Hancock said. "This event will make a great impact on the local economy bringing in revenue and putting sponsors in front of a great demographic audience." The Head of the Tennessee Regatta will bring in rowers from all over the country. With its move to the downtown waterfront, it's expected to draw more than 10,000 spectators. According to regatta organizers, the event will draw more than 2200 competitors and they expect the regatta to have a two million dollar impact on the Knoxville economy. For more information on the 31st Annual Head of the Tennessee Regatta and the Knoxville rowing community, visit www.knoxvillerowing.org. To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, please contact Terry Holley at [email protected] or call 865-524-1223.