MASON, OH - The United States Australian Football League (USAFL) will bring its 2009 National Tournament to Mason, Ohio, over the weekend of October 10-11, 2009.

The popular event is the largest Australian Rules Football tournament in the world, and will attract 1,000 players, officials and coaching staff, with a total of 32 men's teams spread across four divisions, as well as up to six women's teams. The tournament is hosted by Cincinnati's own Australian Rules Football team, the Cincinnati Dockers.

The event is expected to bring around 3,000 people to the area the weekend of October 10-11, with an estimated economic impact of $800,000.

"We are thrilled to return to the birthplace of Aussie Rules football in the US! The City of Mason, and the Warren County Convention and Visitor Bureau have been great partners in helping to bring the 2009 National Tournament to Mason, Ohio" said Rich Mann, USAFL President. "I want to thank the city again for everything they have done, and will do to make this an awesome event."

The USAFL or US Footy as it is known to the players, was formed in 1997 with a few Midwestern Teams (including the Cincinnati Dockers) and has grown into a 30 team National Championship event that moves its national championship around the country. USAFL has grown substantially since its inception in 1997. The first national championship was held in Cincinnati in 1998 and consisted of 15 teams, mostly from the Midwest. 

The sport is beginning to take route in colleges across the US and the youth version of the game is rapidly finding its way into cities across the country. While the City of Mason is hosting the National Championships in October, the USAFL, the Warren County Convention and Visitors Bureau (WCCVB), and the City of Mason will be working year-round to showcase the sport to the youth in the area.

WCCVB along with the City of Mason began working with US Footy to secure the National Championship bid in 2007. US Footy chose Warren County and the City of Mason because of willingness to work with US Footy and for the diverse product mix and world-class attractions such as Kings Island and Ozone Zipline Adventures, which presents a perfect back-drop for these tournaments. Warren County is a drivable market - and, with all there is to do, the athletes and families will have a great time before and after the tournament.

"We are so fortunate to have the City of Mason as the host for this national tournament, they were instrumental in securing this event" said Shirley Bonekemper, Executive Director of the WCCVB. "Mason has already established itself as a place to see great sports both internationally and nationally as the home to the Western & Southern Masters, the Western & Southern Women's Open, the AVP Mason Open, the Duramed Futures Tournament - and now we welcome the US Footy National Tournament."

The tournament will be held at Heritage Oak Park in Mason, OH. Located just north of Cincinnati and south of Dayton.

Without a doubt, the Polo Grille located inside Deerfield Towne Center, is home to one of the best desserts in the county--the deep dish cookie! Served in its own crock, this warm, baked chocolate chip cookie rests under a mountain of creamy vanilla ice cream. After you take that first bite, you will know what I am talking about. Consider ordering two because you won't want to share.

The fields for the Western & Southern Financial Group Women's Open (August 8-16) and Western & Southern Financial Group Masters (August 15-23) were announced yesterday. Roger Federer, Rafeal Nadal and Andy Roddick headline the men's event while Venus Williams, Serena Williams and world #1 Dinara Safina headline the women's event. Read more about the fields.

You can win 4 tickets to the W&SFG Women's Open finals, plus overnight accommodations at the Cincinnati Marriott Northeast (the official player's hotel) and 4 tickets to The Beach Waterpark. Register Now.  Deadline is July 31st.

See La Comedia Dinner Theatre's production of Annie now through August 30th.  La Comedia is a truly unique dining and theatrical experience.

Save $4.00 per person if you attend a show during hte month it opens.  Find more money-saving deals on their website.

The super-popular 3-day Christian music festival starts today.  This marks the 16th consecutive year Kings Island has hosted Spirit Song. Thursday's headliner is Switchfoot.  Tickets can be purchased via Ticketmaster.

Spirit Song ends on Saturday, July 11.  Kings Island will be open to midnight!  Other midnight Saturdays include July 18 & 25 as well as August 1.  Night rides are always cool, but a midnight ride...that's awesome!