Foxborough, Mass. - No cure for the wintertime blues? The New England Patriots Cheerleaders are reminding fans that the return of football season isn't too far away. An open audition for the 2010 Patriots Cheerleading squad will be held on Saturday, Feb. 20 in the Dana-Farber Field House at Gillette Stadium. Registration begins at 10 a.m.

Women who are at least 18-years-old and currently have a high school diploma or GED are invited to attend. Candidates will perform two designated routines and a freestyle combination. They will be judged on dance ability, showmanship, overall appearance and level of physical fitness. Judges will narrow the field to approximately 60 semi-finalists, who will be invited back for final auditions on Saturday, March 6.

The cost to register is $20. Participants should wear an aerobics outfit and sneakers or dance shoes, and should bring water, a bagged lunch, a resume and a photograph. A more detailed description of the audition process can be found at www.patriots.com/cheerleaders.

Also, for participants looking to gain a better understanding of the audition process, an optional audition workshop will be held on Saturday, Feb. 13 at the Dana-Farber Field House from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. with registration opening at 9:30 a.m.

The 2010 Patriots Cheerleading Squad will be comprised of up to 28 members. The squad rehearses twice a week and performs at all Patriots home games. In addition to the excitement of performing in front of nearly 70,000 fans at Gillette Stadium, a coveted spot on the squad can provide exciting perks. In April, squad members will travel to the Dominican Republic to shoot the 2011 Patriots Cheerleaders Swimsuit calendar. Over the years, Patriots Cheerleaders have traveled to more than 25 countries to visit U.S. military troops abroad. Members of the squad have also traveled to China, Japan and the United Kingdom to increase awareness of American football.

The Patriots Cheerleaders have appeared on local and national television, including Entertainment Tonight, E! Television, Inside Edition, Good Morning America, and the CBS Early Show. Members of the squad have also been featured in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition, Muscle and Fitness, Maxim.com, Chinese FHM and Men's Style magazines.

For more information about the audition process, please contact Tracy Sormanti, Cheerleader Director, at 508-384-9101, or visit www.patriots.com/cheerleaders.