What: Saint Arnold Brewing Company, the oldest microbrewery in Texas, and Marble Slab Creamery, which specializes in superpremium, handmade ice cream, will celebrate the anniversary of the first root beer float by hosting a root beer float party for the Child and Adolescent Center at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.

When: Noon, Thursday, August 19, 2004

Where: The Saint Arnold Root Beer Float Party will take place in the Pedi-Dome in the George Foreman Pediatric Unit at M. D. Anderson. Self parking is available at TMC Garage #2 adjacent to the Alkek Hospital at M. D. Anderson or valet parking is available at the entrance to the Alkek Hospital. Please bring your receipts for validation. A representative from the communications office will meet you inside the entrance to the Alkek Hospital and escort you to the 9th floor for the party.

Why: To celebrate the invention of the root beer float on August 19, 1893, when Frank Wisner of the Cripple Creek Brewing Company in Cripple Creek, Colo., glanced at snow-capped Cow Mountain on a moon-lit evening. What he saw resembled a scoop of vanilla ice cream floating on top of the black mountain. The vision inspired Wisner to add a scoop of vanilla ice cream to his locally brewed root beer, which he dubbed a "Black Cow Mountain." The name was later shortened to black cow, which is also known as a root beer float.

Who: Saint Arnold Founder and CEO, Brock Wagner, will lead the scooping and Saint Arnold himself will greet the patients and their families.

Contact: Dan Keeney, APR, 713-417-1498 or e-mail dan@keeneypr.com.

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