Stokes set to surf

Rick Devereux

The festivities for Irrelevant Week XXX kick off June 20 at 5 p.m. at

the Newport Dunes Resort with an arrival party for Andy Stokes, the

tight end from William Penn University who was the 255th and final

pick in April’s NFL Draft by the New England Patriots.

The creation of Newport Beach resident Paul Salata for the purpose

of “doing something nice for someone for no reason,” Irrelevant Week

tries to incorporate the personality of the individual player into

the various events.

Ultra-Raider fans Spike and Violator were guests of honor during

the arrival party for Andre Sommersell, who was the 255th and final

pick by Oakland last year.

Ryan Hoag had a decidedly Hoag Hospital feel to his Irrelevant

Week festivities when the wide receiver was the final pick in the

draft by Oakland in 2003, and West Point quarterback Ronnie McAda

arrived at Newport Dunes on a replica missile.

The theme for this year’s events will include Stokes’ admission to

being a junk-food junkie. Melanie Fitch, Salata’s daughter and chief

executive of Irrelevant Week, said the arrival party will include the

usual offerings from fine eateries in the area, but also pizzas from

10 different restaurants.

Stokes, who grew up in St. George, Utah, will receive a surfing

lesson on his first day in Southern California as well as a custom

surfboard.

Radio and television personalty Jim Rome will have a crew

following Stokes around during the festivities, which will be shorter

than previous Irrelevant Week celebrations because of football

practice.

Stokes will arrive in town Sunday, have the arrival party Monday,

attend the Lowsman Trophy Banquet Tuesday and leave that night so he

can participate in New England’s training camp that starts Wednesday

morning. The Lowsman -- the anti-Heisman -- is a statue showing a

player fumbling a football.

“It’s the Trash Compactor Week,” Fitch said. “Everything’s going

to be smushed together.”