Ex-Boxing champion John “The Quietman” Ruiz to be 22nd annual Phantom Gourmet Safari Grand Marshal

Posted on | May 9, 2011 | No Comments

Saturday at Suffolk Downs for The Joey Fund

BOSTON (May 9, 2011) – Two-time world heavyweight boxing champion John “The Quietman” Ruiz is the Grand Marshal for Saturday (May 14) afternoon’s (12 noon—4:00 PM) 22nd annual Phantom Gourmet Safari (PGS), benefitting The Joey Fund to raise a cure for Cystic Fibrosis, at Suffolk Downs in East Boston.

Ruiz, the pride of Chelsea (MA), is the only World Heavyweight Champion of Latino heritage. He first captured the World Boxing Association (“WBA”) title March 3, 2001, when he won a 12-round decision against living legend Evander Holyfield. Four years later, the Puerto Rican-American Ruiz recaptured the WBA crown via a victory by 12-round decision versus Hasim Rahman.

“The Andelmans have been longtime supporters during my boxing career and good friends of mine,” Ruiz said. “I’m honored to be selected as Grand Marshal for this event, especially one being held for such a worthy cause like The Joey Fund.”

The Phantom Gourmet Safari, one of Boston’s premier family and charity events, is an all-you-can-eat, children friendly family entertainment event. More than 30,000 people are expected to eat as many as 150,000 hot dogs, cooked by members of the Massachusetts National Guard, as well as other food and treats. Vendors that are donating their time and products include Kayem, Pearl Kountry Klub, Spoke’s Junkyard Dogs, Boston Burger, Chocolate Truffle, Dunkin’ Donuts, Fuddruckers, Nantucket Nectars, Not Your Average Joe’s, Richardson’s Ice Cream, Wacky Candy Shack, Cabby Shack, Kelly’s, Teresa’s, Simco, Windy City Eats, The Sausage Guy, Harrow’s and Kowloon Restaurant.

Children activities will include blow-up, air-filled amusements like the moon walk trampoline, green monster obstacle course, basketball hoops and a large slide. Vendors will also provide a temporary tattoo parlor, in addition to areas for the Ghostbusters of New Hampshire, N.E. Schooner Hockey, Lowell Spinners silent auction of Sports Memorabilia, and much, much more.

Phantom Gourmet will have a booth for people to purchase gift certificates to The Phantom’s favorite restaurants with 100-percent of the proceeds going to The Joey Fund.

TIME RUNNING OUT — BUY TICKETS NOW

Tickets, priced at $10.00 per person in advance and $20.00 at the door (children five and under are free), are available by going to 1.617.783.3333, 1.800.MYSEATS, or at local Ace Ticket outlets. Tickets are also available to purchase in advance at Fuddruckers locations in Saugus, North Andover, Reading and Methuen; Not Your Average Joe’s locations in Action, Arlington, Beverly, Burlington, Dartmouth, Hyannis, Medford, Methuen, Needham, Newburyport, Norwell, Randolph, Watertown and Westborough.

Go to www.hotdogsafari.phantomgourmet.com or call 1.800.966.0444 for more information about the 22nd annual Phantom Gourmet Safari.