At the awards banquet, Grand Master Gee received a special award as Chinese Grandmaster of the Year award for his contributions to the Martial Arts with Hung Fa Yi. Master Meng received also received a special award as Promoter of the Year to acknowledge his leadership contributions to the Kung Fu community as the Curator of the Ving Tsun Museum. Among the entertainment for the dinner was a Martial Art Drill Team Demonstration. In attendance to participate in this first ever awards banquet were over 1,000 martial artists from all styles and disciplines.

Grand Master Gee with his award for Chinese Grand Master of the Year


Master Benny Meng with his award for Promoter of the Year


Three generations of Hung Fa Yi practitioners
(l/r) Jeremy Roadruck, Allen Kong, Master Benny Meng, Grand Master Garrett Gee, Sifu Richard Loewenhagen, and Michael Mathews


Master Meng with Master Allan Goldberg, host to the Action Martial Arts Hall of Fame Banquet


Three lineages of Wing Chun together
(l/r) Mike Mathews, Sifu Richard Loewenhagen, Master Benny Meng, Grand Master Jason Lau, Sifu Fred Glenn, and Mrs. Glenn

After the banquet, there was ample time for socializing and entertainment in the Casino. At 2 am, the group headed for the van for that long ride back to Dayton. The ride home had its share of adventures as the group drove several hundred miles through a blinding snowstorm. By rotating drivers and keeping the speeds to an average of 35 miles per hour, the group made it safely back to Dayton. Grand Master Gee and his students flew out of Dayton on Monday morning.

Lunch after a long night's drive.