The City of Knoxville is holding the 4th Annual Teen "Step Off" Show at the Civic Auditorium, at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 6, 2009.

Teams from local area schools as well as teams from out of town will compete to see who has the most creative step routine. Awards and cash prizes will be presented to the top three teams.

The purpose of this event is to give high school students an opportunity to obtain college connections. College fraternities and sororities will judge the step show and meet with the students. Participating fraternities include: Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi, Alpha Phi Alpha, and Phi Beta Sigma. Participating sororities include: Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Sigma Gamma Rho, and Zeta Phi Beta.

All students competing in the step off will also be given the opportunity to tour the University of Tennessee campus the following Saturday morning. 
 
"We are proud of this event and the attention that it has received in the last few years," said Joe Walsh, City of Knoxville Parks and Recreation Director, noting that the city has had to change the venue each year to accommodate the growing popularity of the event. "Last year it was so crowded we had people viewing the show from television monitors in the hallway." 
 
Walsh added, "This event accomplishes many goals that we as the City Recreation Department work to achieve. The "step off" competition encourages teamwork, fun, exercise, community involvement, and it encourages middle and high school kids to start thinking about college education

In addition to the City of Knoxville, the United States Army will sponsor the event. Soldiers will participate in the opening ceremonies of the Steps Show and will also bring a climbing wall for all to enjoy.

Tickets are $5 in advance and $8 at the door. Tickets for children are $3. To order a ticket in advance, call Nikki Crutcher or Darrow Davenport at 865-971-4746.