Next week the best of the best in Hudson Valley cheer will gather for the 68th annual Westchester County Cheerleading Invitational. The competition will host several schools from the Mid-Hudson Valley including many from Dutchess County.

According to Charlie Cornacchio of Hudson Valley News Network large schools such as Arlington, John Jay, Ketcham and Spackenkill will attend the two-day event as well as some smaller local high schools and middle schools. The competition is expected to bring out more than 1,000 cheerleaders from the lower and Mid-Hudson Valley regions. For many schools the invitational will be their last formal competition of the year.

Although the event is now in it's 68th year it's only been a state competition for a short time. Cheerleading became a sanctioned sport just three years ago, this will be the second year that the New York State Public High School Association will hold the event as a state championship. Meets will take place January 25th and 26th at the Westchester County Center, competitions will begin at 4 p.m. both nights.

Thinking about heading out to support your teams? Here's some helpful information. Admission for spectators is $8 for adults, $5 for students with school I.D. and $5 for children under 12. And parking at the Westchester County Center is $10. For more information on the event visit www.countycenter.biz or call 914-995-4050.

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