FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, September 9, 2009
WHO: Galveston Historical Foundation
WHAT: Galveston Rebirth Race
WHEN: Saturday, September 12, 2009, 8:30 a.m.
WHERE: 2300 Ship’s Mechanic Row in Galveston
INFO: Molly Dannenmaier, Director of Marketing and Public Relations
409-765-7834, molly.dannenmaier@galvestonhistory.org

Saturday’s Historic Galveston Rebirth Race Route to be Filled with Cheering Supporters from Throughout Island on One-Year Anniversary of Hurricane Ike

Galveston Historical Foundation has been inundated with offers from Galveston groups to cheer on Saturday’s participants in its First Annual Historic Galveston Rebirth Race, presented by Mostyn Law Firm. The race is scheduled to begin at 8:30 a.m., Saturday, September 12, 2009.

As of Wednesday, September 9, more than 600 people have registered to participate in the race, reports Clay Wade, GHF director of events, who says he fully anticipates as many as 1000 race participants by Saturday morning.

“This number of participants for a first-time race is completely unexpected,” says Wade. “We have been amazed at the huge amount of interest that has been flooding in.”

The race route, which begins at the Mardi Gras arch in front of the Historic Tremont House hotel, and winds through the historic downtown, East End, Silk Stocking and San Jacinto neighborhoods, will be filled with cheering supporters from all over the island. Ball High School’s cheerleaders, marching band, and student council members will be cheering and performing during the race and at the after-party, to be held at Saengerfest Park as will the Austin Middle School Magnettes.

Costumed characters from Moody Gardens and the Rainforest Café will be on hand, along with the Carnes Brothers Funeral Home Disco Bus. Members of the East End, Silk Stocking, and San Jacinto Neighborhood Associations are preparing banners, balloons, and placards to help cheer on the runners. All neighbors and businesses along the race route have been visited by Galveston Historical Foundation volunteers in the past several weeks to alert them that race participants will be passing their properties. All residents and business owners along the race route are encouraged to come outdoors Saturday morning and cheer the runners on as they wind through the streets of historic Galveston.
 

“Historic Galveston Island has seen its fill of calamities,” says Wade. “Its rich architecture remaining stands as a testament to survival of storms, fires and progress. The preservation programs of GHF have, for more than 50 years, been the catalyst for its continued existence.” “We are very excited to offer this fun, and healthy, new event to the line-up of our other fundraisers.”

The Mostyn Law Firm is partnering with GHF to sponsor the inaugural run. "Galveston Island has been part of my family for as long as I can remember,” says Steve Mostyn, the firm’s founder. “Every summer we vacationed here creating the best memories of my life. Now, we own a condo here where we bring our kids almost every weekend. It was ruined by Ike and we just got it back. People in Galveston are warm and resilient people who are proud of their Island. The Mostyn Law Firm is proud to be a part of rebuilding the Island. We are truly honored hundreds of Galveston families and businesses have chosen us to end their frustration with their insurance companies. I am happy to give back to Galveston by supporting the Galveston Historical Foundation and the restoration of Galveston Island. See you at the Race!"

The law firm, with offices in Houston, Beaumont and Austin, specializes in insurance and personal injury claims as well as complex business litigation. In addition to the Mostyn Law Firm, Randalls Food Markets, Mitchell Historic Properties and the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston have also pledged their sponsorship of the event.

Galveston’s commercial and residential districts contain a diverse mix of historic homes and buildings dating as far back as the early 1800s, including the home of Michael B. Menard, one of the city of Galveston’s founders, built in 1938. Galveston is also home to Ashton Villa, built in 1859 by James Moreau Brown, then one of the richest men in Texas. Bishop’s Palace, built between 1887 and 1892, is another Galveston landmark, named by the American Institute of Architects as the 14th most important Victorian building in America.

“Texans have long recognized that the historic buildings and neighborhoods of Galveston are some of the local places that make the island unique,” says Dwayne Jones, executive director of GHF. “This run will highlight several of our historic neighborhoods and the threatened cast iron buildings downtown, but it is an even larger symbol of our ability to endure and triumph over Hurricane Ike and its consequences. This will be one of a number of local events that recognizes our inner strength as well as Galveston's resilience as a coastal community.”

All proceeds from the Mostyn Law Firm Galveston Rebirth Race will go towards supporting GHF and its mission of preservation, community redevelopment, stewardship of historic properties and public education.

ABOUT GALVESTON HISTORICAL FOUNDATION

Incorporated in 1954, Galveston Historical Foundation is one of the nation's largest local preservation organizations. Over the last 50 years, the foundation has expanded its mission to encompass community redevelopment, public education, historic preservation advocacy, maritime preservation and stewardship of historic properties. Today, GHF has over 2,000 memberships representing individuals, families, and businesses across Texas, the US and abroad and exerts a profound impact on the culture and economy of the Island.

For more information or to register, go to www.galvestonhistory.org or call 409-765-7834.