Mr. Crispy to Perform at Ripley's Believe It or Not! Grand Prairie, TX for World Sword Swallower's Day

Grand Prairie, TX, February 20, 2013 --(PR.com)-- Sword Swallowers celebrate by swallowing together at Ripley's Believe It or Not locations worldwide Muncie, IN (SSAI) – On February 23, 2013, Sword Swallowers around the world will celebrate World Sword Swallower's Day 2013 by doing what they do best -- Swallowing swords! Sword Swallowers Association International (SSAI) President Dan Meyer announced the 6th annual World Sword Swallower's Day to raise awareness of sword swallowers worldwide. Founded by SSAI and co-sponsored by Ripley Entertainment, World Sword Swallower's Day 2013 will be observed on February 23rd, 2013 in conjunction with February as National Swallowing Disorders Month. In celebration of World Sword Swallower's Day, more than 30 sword swallowers are expected to "drop swords" at Ripley's Believe It or Not! Odditoriums worldwide on Saturday, February 23rd at 2:23 pm. "We sword swallowers have been risking our lives to perform sword swallowing for over 4000 years," explains Meyer. "But many people either don't believe it's real, or they think the art has died out. We established World Sword Swallower's Day to promote this ancient art still carried on by a few dozen surviving performers -- to raise awareness of the medical contributions sword swallowers have made in the fields of medicine and science, to honor veteran performers, and to raise funds for esophageal cancer research and the Injured Sword Swallower's Relief Fund." Meyer explains. "Most of all, we do it to correct myths and educate the public and medical professionals by doing free demonstrations on this day around the world. Many of us have been performing for years, and we love our work," explains Meyer, a multiple Ripley's Believe It or Not who performs in 20 countries around the world. "World Sword Swallower's Day is a great opportunity for us to show the public what we really do! Sword swallowers who participate in these activities find them rewarding," explains Meyer. "Many people who have never had the opportunity to see sword swallowing firsthand will finally have a chance to witness it live! Because sword swallowing is so rare, sword swallowers usually perform solo," Meyer says. "World Sword Swallower's Day gives us a chance to work together to be part of something bigger." Why is Ripley’s co-sponsoring World Sword Swallower's Day? "Because it's great entertainment!" said Tim O'Brien, VP of Communications for Ripley Entertainment. "Sword swallowers and Ripley’s go way back to the very first Ripley's Believe It or Not! Odditorium set up at the Chicago World's Fair in 1933. There, three performers, two of whom were ladies, mesmerized the huge crowds. Ripley's has been home to sword swallowers around the world ever since. It's a huge honor for us to carry on the tradition of sword swallowers who have performed at Ripley's Believe It or Not! museums over the years." Meyer explains. "In light of this, SSAI is extending an open invitation to sword swallowers worldwide to join us in celebrating World Sword Swallower’s Day by swallowing swords with us at Ripley's Believe It or Not Odditoriums around the world." On February 23rd, sword swallowers will perform free live shows at Ripley's Believe It or Not! Odditoriums in London, New York Times Square, Atlantic City, NJ, Baltimore, MD, Myrtle Beach, SC, Gatlinburg, TN, Orlando, St. Augustine, Panama City, and Key West, FL, Branson, MO, Grand Prairie, TX, Hollywood and San Francisco CA, Newport, OR, Genting Hills Malaysia, and Niagara Falls, Canada. The 2013 Big Swallow will take place on Saturday, 2/23/13 at 2:23:13 pm local time. About Sword Swallowing The art of sword swallowing originated over 4000 years ago in India, and requires the practitioner to use mind-over-matter techniques to repress natural reflexes in order to insert solid steel blades from 15 to 25 inches down the esophagus and into the stomach. There are currently less than a few dozen full-time professional sword swallowers actively performing around the world today. About the Sword Swallowers Association International The Sword Swallowers Association International is an international organization comprised of sword swallowers from around the world who are dedicated to preserving and promoting the ancient art of sword swallowing. SSAI maintains a site with general information on sword swallowing at www.swordswallow.com. Local sword Swallowers available for interviews, comments, and medical demonstrations. For more information on World Sword Swallower's Day, or to schedule a sword swallower for an event in your area on February 23rd, contact us.

Media Contact:
Dan Meyer President
Sword Swallowers Association Int'l
(615) 969-2568
Halfdan@aol.com
www.swordswallow.org

(SSAI) www.swordswallow.com (General Info)
www.swordswallow.org/wssd/ (World Sword Swallower's Day)

Tim O'Brien, VP
Communications Ripley Entertainment Inc.
(615) 646-7465
obrien@ripleys.com

Ripley’s Believe It or Not Grand Prairie, TX
601 E. Palace Pkwy Grand Prairie, TX

Rachel Cruz Rotella, Manager 972-263-2391 rotella@ripleys.com - SSAI Media Spokesperson Rep Crispy Knight, SSAI Media Spokesperson 918-853-2180 or 918-409-0339 mrcrispy@mrcrispyentertainment.com