Smallville actors, Vandervoort and Witwer, Executive Producer Ilya Salkind and Adventures of Superman star Noel Neill to appear at 32nd annual Metropolis Superman Celebration!

The second weekend in June is devoted to the legendary character that stands for “Truth, Justice and the American Way” each year in Metropolis, Illinois. But Superman is always kind enough to share the spotlight with a few other celebrities.

Special guests have just been confirmed as headliners of the 32nd annual Superman Celebration June 10-13. Smallville fans will be excited to see this year’s celebrity line-up.

Laura Vandervoort, who portrays Supergirl/ Kara and Sam Witwer, also known as Doomsday, will be the Smallville actors headlining this year’s Celebration. Ilya Salkind, whose movie productions include Superman, Superman II, and Superman III, will be a special guest and, the “First Lady of Metropolis” Noel Neill, is scheduled to make a return trip to the festival. Fans will have the opportunity to meet the celebrities in person at autograph and question and answer sessions.

Laura Dianne Vandervoort landed the coveted role of Kara, the cousin of Clark Kent on the hit CW series Smallville, playing the role of Supergirl where she became a main focus of the seventh season.

Following her stint as a regular on Smallville, Vandervoort acted in the pilot for ABC's new series V. The pilot was picked up and she began shooting in August 2009 for the TV series which debuted in November.

Vandervoort was born in 1984 in Toronto, Canada and begin acting at the age of 13. A tomboy for years, she was involved in several sports and earned a second degree Black Belt by the age of 16. After taking several classes and doing background work on Canadian shows such as Road to Avonlea and Harriet the Spy she got her first speaking role in Canadian children’s series Goosebumps and Are You Afraid of the Dark?

After commercials and guest stars in Mutant-X, Prom Queen, Twice in a Lifetime, Doc, Sue Thomas FBI, Troubled Waters, Dresdan Files and a few Disney movies of the week, she landed the lead role of Sadie Harrison on the CTV TV series Instant Star.

In 2006 Laura shot her first feature titled The Lookout with Jeff Daniels. Several of her TV appearances, including CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, led Laura into the hands of the CW network and Smallville.

Following Smallville, Laura shot the sequel to the feature film Into The Blue titled Into the Blue 2: The Reef. Following The Reef, Laura went directly into filming an independent production titled The Jazzman and then a TV movie titled Out of Control. Since shooting a gritty independent film, Damage, Laura shot a science fiction miniseries, the SyFy channel’s relaunching of Philip José Farmer’s Riverworld.

Sam Witwer grew up in Glenview, Illinois, outside of Chicago. He attended Glenbrook South High School, where he was involved in drama and theater classes, as well as being the lead singer of a high school band. He attended the Julliard School of Drama before heading to Los Angeles to pursue his acting career. His first major film role was as Wayne Jessup in The Mist.

In 2008, Witwer was cast to play Doomsday, the new rival of Superman on Smallville’s eighth season after Michael Rosenbaum, who played the superhero’s arch-enemy, Lex Luthor, left the show. He is also known to audiences for his recurring roles as Lieutenant Alex “Crashdown” Quartararo on the popular series Battlestar Galactica and Neil Perry on the Showtime series Dexter. A sci-fi fan growing up, he was happy to have landed a minor guest roll on Star Trek: Enterprise. His other television credits include guest appearances on Bones, Star Trek: New Voyages, Navy NCIS, Dragnet, Cold Case, TAG, and ER.

A lifetime Star Wars fan, Sam appeared as Darth Vader's secret apprentice, Starkiller/Galen Marek and as Darth Sidious, in the massively successful multimedia project Star Wars: The Force Unleashed. Witwer provided both his voice and likeness to the lead characters across all of the mediums. He reprised his role as Galen Marek in the video game: Soulcalibur IV. There is also speculation that he will reprise his role of Starkiller for the Star Wars live-action TV series.

Witwer says that his first love is music and he is consequently the lead singer of his own band, The Crashtones. The bank released its first CD entitled "Colourful of the Stereo" in 2006. Witwer has since assembled a live line-up consisting of professional musicians and others in the industry, including Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia's Glenn Howerton, with whom he performs whenever time allows.

Ilya Salkind initiated the blockbuster Superman franchise, starring Christopher Reeve, Marlon Brando and Margot Kidder, which became one of the most successful film franchises history. The Academy Award winning Superman: The Movie also has the distinction of being the first major comic book film adaptation ever made. Under his supervision, this film and its first two sequels became worldwide blockbusters. Salkind also produced, Supergirl, starring Helen Slater.

Mr. Salkind's first venture into television, Superboy , also proved successful, lasting four seasons for a total of 100 episodes and is now a huge hit on DVD. In the years following the success of Superboy, Salkind focused his energies on the youth oriented feature, Young Alexander the Great. During that period Salkind also executive produced, the Richard Donner cut of Superman II.

Salkind has been described as a “mega-producer” whose hallmark career highlights strong commercial creative vision and the skilled business acumen to deliver film and television production on-time and on-budget. He ranks among an elite group of producers whose films have generated more than $3 billion in adjusted worldwide revenue, with an adjusted average of $250 million per movie.

Though she first played Lois Lane in the 1948 movie serial, Superman, with Kirk Alyn, Noel Neill is best known for playing the iconic character on television in The Adventures of Superman with beloved legendary actor George Reeves from 1953 to 1957. So identified is she with this role that her portrayal of the "girl reporter" set the standard for all Lois Lanes to follow.

Metropolis has become such a fan of Neill that the Chamber of Commerce will unveil a statue of her likeness on the second day of the Superman Celebration. Engraved bricks are currently being sold for the base that will hold the life-size sculpture of the actress.

With the unveiling planned for June 11, final engraving orders are needed at the monument company very soon. A deadline of April 16 has been set for ordering engraved bricks guaranteed to be in place for the unveiling. More information about the statue and a brick order form can be found at www.noelneillstatue.com. Orders may also be placed by calling the Chamber of Commerce at 618-524-2714 or emailing metrochamber@verizon.net.

The Superman Celebration is a long standing festival and a must see event for most anyone, especially comic lovers. Superman fans travel from all over the globe to visit the small southern Illinois town that is the Official Home of Superman.

Metropolis features a 15-foot bronze statue of the Man of Steel and a Super Museum located on the town’s Superman Square. A life-size statue of Noel Neill will grace the landscape soon. There are other interesting super-hero related attractions located throughout the city, such as a giant rock of kryptonite. Complete with an Artist’s Alley, Man of Steel exhibitions and contests, amusement park, live music and $1000 Superhero Costume Contest, the Superman Celebration provides fun for the entire family. For more information about the Superman Celebration call 800-949-5740. For information about Superman and other Metropolis attractions, visit www.metropolistourism.com or call 877-424-5025.

Super Museum Curator Jim Hambrick invites you to this year's George Awards & Auction which will take place on Saturday, June 12th at the Baymont Theater (formerly known as the Amerihost Theatre).

Tickets are $20.00 per person and can be ordered by contacting the Super Museum in Metropolis, Illinois at (618) 524-5518.

The event will kick off at 5:00pm with an auction preview for Ticket Holders Only. The presentation of awards will commence at 6:00pm including the coveted "George Award". The evening will wrap up with the auction starting at 6:30pm.

A snack bar featuring theater style concessions will also be available for purchase.

To submit items in the auction or if you have any questions, please call the Super Museum at (618) 524-5518.

Super Swingin' 50's Dance

As part of the festivities for this year's 32nd Annual Superman Celebration, the City of Metropolis, Illinois will be holding a Super Swingin' 1950's dance.

The event is scheduled for Friday, June 11th at the Baymont Theater (formally Amerihost Theater) from 8:00pm - 10:30pm and will feature music from the 1950's era.

1950's costumes are encouraged but not required and a prize will be given for the best dressed 50's man & woman. Hor deorves will also be served.

Tickets are $25.00 per person and can be reserved by contacting the Metropolis Chamber of Commerce at 1-800-949-5740. All reserved tickets can be picked up at the Chamber on June 10th & 11th or at the door after 8:00pm on Friday June 11th.

Seating is limited so reserve your tickets early.

2010 Costume Contest

Entry Fee: $20.00

When: Sunday, June 13

Where: At the Main Tent

Sign Up Time: Sunday at 10:00am until Noon

Contest Time: Sunday at Noon

This year, Characters will be judged in 5 groups:

Superman / Clark Kent

Supergirl / Lois

Villians / Villianess

Hero / Heronine

Creatures

There will be 1 winner per group. Each winning 250.00.

Best Superman or Clark Kent

Best Supergirl or Lois

Best Villian

Best Hero

The Best Creature.

The 5 winners will them move on to compete in the Final round.

Every Costumed contestant will be on stage by themselves and will be brought back on stage as a group at the end of their group judging.

The 5 winners will compete for the $1000 grand prize.

There will be a Crowd Favorite Catagory.
Details for this catagory to be revealed soon.

(Information subject to change. Please check back for updates and new information.)

4th Annual SuperFan Baseball Game

Take me out to the Ball Game! On Friday afternoon at 2:00pm, join team captains Steven Kirk and Larry Ward at the Metropolis Sports Park (2004 Metropolis Street) as the "Smallville Meteors" take on the "Metropolis Marvels" for the 4th Annual SuperFan Baseball Game! Special guest Noel Neill will be there to throw out the ceremonial First Pitch! Come out and watch the game, or e-mail steve@StevenKirk.com if you're interested in playing!

2010 Event Schedule

Thursday, June 10

5:00pm - Opening Ceremony on Superman Square - Meet Superman!
5:00pm - Carnival rides and games
5;45pm - Lois Lane Award presentation, Helping Hands Award Presentation
              at Metro Tent
7:00pm - The Kingsmen Gospel Concert in the Metro Tent
7:00pm - Superman Road Race at Fort Massac State Park
7:00pm - Color Superman Posters at Smallville Tent
7:30pm - Kids Karaoke at Smallville Tent

Friday, June 11

7:00am - 1/2 of Tickets for Autograph Sessions available
              outside of the Chamber of Commerce, 607 Market St.
              While supplies last. Limit 2 tickets per person, limit one session
              per person.
10:00am - Artist Alley opens. Watch for details soon about individual
              events and workshops.
10:00am - Noel Neill - Lois Lane Statue Unveiling with Noel Neill,
              the corner of 8th and Market streets.
11:00am - Celebrity Autograph Session with Noel Neill.
              At the Lois Lane statue.
11:00am - Superman Radio Show Live at Metro Tent
11:00am - Freestyle Connection BMX Bike Show at Man of Steel Area
11:00am - What's it Worth? with Mike Mallory and WPSD-TV
11:30am - Superman Super Site Meet & Greet at Dippin' Dots on Superman Square
11:30am - Program TBA at Artist Alley & Writer's Way
12:00pm - Super Silly Games at Smallville Tent
12:30pm - Cheetos Eating Contest at Man of Steel Tent
1:00pm - Superman Trivia Contest at Metro Tent
1:00pm - Program TBA at Artist Alley & Writer's Way
1:30pm - Making Kryptonite with The Science Guy at Smallville Tent
1:30pm - Freestyle Connection BMX Bike Show at Man of Steel area
2:00pm - Superman Fan Baseball Game: Metropolis Marvels vs.
              Smallville Meteors at Metropolis Sports Park
2:00pm - Video Game Tournament
3:00pm - Artist & Writers Q & A at Artist Alley
4:00pm - Kids Superhero Costume Conest at Smallville Tent
5:00pm - Carnival rides and games
5:00pm - Panel Discussion at Artist Alley & Writers Way
5:00pm - Meet Superman at Smallville Tent
5:30pm - Costume Parade for Everyone in Costume! Meet at Smallville.
5:30pm - Freestyle Connection BMX Bike Show at Man of Steel Area
6:00pm - Omega Force Strength Team Exhibition at Man of Steel Tent
6:00pm - Country Music Live at Metro Tent
6:00pm - Artist Alley closes - reopen at 7pm
7:00pm - Live Entertainment at Metro Tent
7:00pm - Superhero Gameshow at Smallville Tent
7:30pm - Movie at Artist Alley and Writers Way
8:00pm - Super Swingin' 50s Dance at Baymond Theatre.
              TICKETS REQUIRED

Saturday, June 12

7:00am - 1/2 of Tickets for Autograph Sessions available
              outside of the Chamber of Commerce, 607 Market St.
              While supplies last. Limit 2 tickets per person, limit one session
              per person.
8:00am - Kiwanis Superman Bike Ride - Fort Massac State Park
All day - Carnival rides and games
9:00am - Celebrity Autograph Session A -
              with Laura Vandervoort, Sam Witwer & Ilya Salkind.
              At the Chamber. TICKETS REQUIRED. See 7am listings for Fri. & Sat.
10:00am - Celebrity Autograph Session with Noel Neill.
              At the Lois Lane statue.
10:00am - Making Kryptonite with The Science Guy at Smallville Tent
10:00am - Celebrity Autograph Session B -
              with Laura Vandervoort, Sam Witwer & Ilya Salkind.
              At the Chamber. TICKETS REQUIRED. See 7am listings for Fri. & Sat.
TBA - Swearing in ceremony for Honorary Citizens of Metropolis
10:00am - Washer Pitch Tournament, at Girl Scout House
10:00am - Artist Alley Opens -
              Watch for details on events and workshops to be announced.
10:00am - XGames at Metropolis Sports Park
10:30am - Freestyle Connection Freestyle BMX Bike Show at Man of Steel area
10:30am - Program TBA at Artist Alley
11:00am - Meet Superman at Smallville Tent - Photos and prizes!
11:00am - Weigh-in for Bench Press and Dead Lift Competition, Man of Steel Tent
11:30am - Celebrity Q & A Session with Noel Neill, Laura Vandervoort,
              Sam Witwer & Ilya Salkind.
              At Metro Tent - open to public, no tickets required.
12:00pm - Super Silly Games at Smallville Tent
12:00pm - Sign-in for Pedal Tractor Pull - at Smallville Tent
12:30pm - Q & A for Artist and Writers (TBA) at Artist Alley
1:00pm - Celebrity Autograph Session with Noel Neill.
              At the Metropolis Planet.
1:00pm - Color-A-Cape with the Metropolis Planet staff, on courthouse lawn
1:00pm - Superman Trivia at Metro Tent
1:00pm - Superman Classic Bench Press & Deadlift Competition, Man of Steel tent
2:00pm - Superdog Contest at Smallville Tent
TBA - VIP Autograph Session - with Laura Vandervoort, Sam Witwer,
              Ilya Salkind and Noel Neil
              At the Chamber. VIP TICKETS REQUIRED.
2:00pm - Program TBA at Artist Alley
3:00pm - Magic Show at Smallville Tent
3:00pm - Freestyle Connection BMX Bike Show at Man of Steel area
3:30pm - Celebrity Autograph Session C -
              with Laura Vandervoort, Sam Witwer & Ilya Salkind.
              At the Chamber. TICKETS REQUIRED. See 7am listings for Fri. & Sat.
4:00pm - Beautiful Baby Contest - at Smallville Tent
4:30pm - Celebrity Autograph Session D -
              with Laura Vandervoort, Sam Witwer & Ilya Salkind.
              At the Chamber. TICKETS REQUIRED. See 7am listings for Fri. & Sat.
5:00pm - Colgate Country Showdown at Metro Tent
5:00pm - Sign-in for Little Miss Supergirl and Superboy at Smallville Tent
5:00pm - Freestyle Connection BMX Bike Show at Man of Steel area
5:30pm - Omega Force Exhibition at Man of Steel Tent
6:00pm - George Awards and Auction at the Baymont Theatre.
              Hosted by Super Museum owner, Jim Hambrick.
              TICKETS REQUIRED - $20
6:00pm - Supergirl and Superboy Pageants - at Smallville Tent
6:00pm - Cruisers (antique cars) on Superman Square
7:00pm - Live Muisc at Metro Tent
7:00pm - Door close at Artist Alley
9:00pm - 3rd Annual Fan Films at Artist Alley. Awards to be presented.
10:30pm - After Hours Costume Dance at Artist Alley

Sunday, June 13

8:00am - Rotary Club Super Car Show at Fort Massac
10:00am - Artist Alley opens - closes at 4pm
10:00am - Sign in for Costume Contest until Noon
10:30am - Winners for Comic Art Contest announced at Artist Alley
11:00am - Celebrity Autograph Session with Noel Neill.
              At the Lois Lane Statue
11:00am - Kids Superhero Gameshow at Smallville Tent
11:00am - Program TBA at Artist Alley and Writer's Way
12:00pm - $1000 Superhero Costume Contest at Metro Tent
12:30pm - Kids Karaoke at Smallville Tent
1:00pm - Omega Force Exhibition at Man of Steel Tent
2:00pm - Color a Giant Comic at Smallville Tent
2:00pm - Swearing In Ceremony for Honorary Citizens of Metropolis
2:30pm - Character Karaoke at Main Tent
3:00pm - Superman Scavenger Hunt at Smallville Tent
4:00pm - Superman Celebration concludes with Closing Skit at Superman Statue

Celebration Concludes, See you next year!!