North American International Auto Show Announces Weekend Entertainment Line-Up

DETROIT, Jan. 17 -- As the last weekend of the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) 2002 zooms closer and closer, Auto Show aficionados and their families planning on attending should mark their calendars with the following fun activities, sights and entertainment venues.

Starting inside the new NAIAS Food Court located in Wayne Hall off the main concourse, attendees can sample a wide variety of live entertainment in addition to a lively menu of: Philly cheese steak sandwiches, Chicago-style hot dogs, quesadillas, caesar salads, submarine sandwiches, Little Caesars Pizza, cotton candy, popcorn and premium ice cream. Alcoholic and non- alcoholic beverages will also be served.

The following is a schedule of entertainment events provided by Greektown Casino and Comcast inside the Food Court:

Saturday - SpongeBob Squarepants (from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and music by Notorious (from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and Kaleidoscope (from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.). Sunday - SpongeBob Squarepants (from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and music by CGS ENT (from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and Bomb Squad (from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.). Monday - (Martin Luther King Day) SpongeBob Squarepants (from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and music by Serieux and Friends (from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.). Also available at all times inside the Food Court are the following:

U.S. Army TACOM provides a special climbing wall for attendees 12 and older to burn off that extra energy. Free giveaways to the public and information displays by Sprint PCS and U.S. Army TACOM. Back inside Cobo Center, the one million square feet of exhibit space features more than 53 exhibits with over 700 incredible production and concept vehicles on display. Throw in each exhibitor's special entertainment/educational features at their site and the NAIAS 2002 has something for all ages to enjoy.

The DaimlerChrysler exhibit features the incredible talents of ``Artistry in Motion,'' a colorful group of suspended acrobats who periodically entertain crowds between 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. The Mini exhibit features an interactive racing game that puts kids and adults inside a mounted go-cart that they use to ``drive'' their Mini on a virtual racetrack. Also available, a virtual photo-booth will take your picture inside your favorite Mini Cooper and print out a color postcard. The Jeep exhibit features life-size sand sculptures and a beautiful waterfall that displays numbers, images and words. The General Motors exhibit features several educational and interactive kiosks, one with a tutorial given by a simulated Albert Einstein character. At the Mitsubishi exhibit, kids of all ages can play the latest Microsoft Xbox(TM) video games. Downstairs inside Michigan Hall at the Micro Reality Racing station and UAW DaimlerChrysler National Training Center, racing fans will be able to sample the UAW DaimlerChrysler 400 slot car races. The Ford exhibit features a tech lab and an interactive racing game. Trend Center displays, courtesy of R. L. Polk & Co., are located throughout the show floor and allow visitors to vote for their favorite vehicles, favorite colors, favorite concept cars and much more. Public Days for NAIAS 2002 at Cobo Center are open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., through Sunday, January 20. On Monday, January 21, the final day for NAIAS 2002, the Show is open from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. No admittance one hour in advance of closing each day.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for seniors 65 and older. Children 12 years and older are free when accompanied by a parent or guardian.

About the North American International Auto Show

Celebrating its 14th year as an international event, the North American International Auto Show is considered among the most prestigious auto shows in the world. NAIAS 2002 will host more than 50 worldwide and North American vehicle introductions and is expected to attract more than 700,000 attendees. The NAIAS is the only auto show in the United States to earn the distinguished sanction of the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d'Automobiles, the Paris-based alliance of automotive trade associations and manufacturers from around the globe.

For more information on the North American International Auto Show, check out www.naias.com .