Runners participate in the 2016 Dash and Bash. This year's event is April 7.
Runners participate in the 2016 Dash and Bash. This year's event is April 7.Since the Mountain Education Foundation began its annual Dash and Bash 5k and block party fundraiser two years ago, community interest in each event has greatly exceeded the organization's expectations, said MEF Executive Director Katie Hanners.
For this reason, MEF is expanding the size of this year's event, to be held at Signal Mountain Middle/High School Friday, April 7 from 6-8:30 p.m. The preregistration deadline for the 5k is Monday, April 3.
"It's an incredibly good time, with great activities for adults and children," Hanners said of the bash. "It's a great thing for Signal Mountain to have something where the entire family can come out."
While there will be no changes to the 5k and 1-mile walk/run, the bash will be much bigger. Additions include a significant number of inflatables, more carnival games - 40 booths, up from 20-30 in the past - and a climbing wall and photo booth, Hanners said.
"The numbers continue to grow," she said, adding that participation in the 5k grew from nearly 500 runners in 2015 to almost 700 last year, and an estimated 2,000-2,500 people have attended the block party each year. "We had a huge crowd last year, and we thought that if we offered more activities, it would reduce wait times and allow us to offer more options for a wider range of kids."
Part of MEF's reasoning behind revamping its Run for Education fundraiser into the Dash and Bash two years ago was to increase student involvement, and Hanners said one way it's been successful in doing this is through carnival games run by school teams and clubs, such as the middle school baseball team's speed pitch booth or the high school girls' basketball team's free throw booth.
This year, the Signal Mountain High and Nolan Elementary student councils are teaming up to host a carnival area directed toward the event's youngest attendees. Parents of young kids can also "Rent an Eagle" by paying to have an SMHS football player or cheerleader hang out with their child for 30 minutes, she said.
The fundraising goal is $60,000, and Hanners said MEF is on track to exceed that. The number of people who have preregistered for the 5k is significantly higher than in the past, and if that trend continues, Hanners said, it should have close to 900 participants this year.
"We want to continue to have good, high-quality schools on Signal Mountain, and the way to do that is to continue to contribute to the Mountain Education Foundation," she said, explaining that the funds raised through the event help to pay for school needs such as teacher salaries, technology upgrades and professional development.
The cost to preregister for the 5k on or before April 3 is $25, and jumps to $35 after.
New for this year's bash is the option to purchase a $40 wristband good for unlimited activities, though wristbands are available online only in advance of the event. Ticket bundles will be available that night as in the past.
This year there is also the option to purchase raffle tickets for chances to win one of 13 prizes valued between $40 and $250.
For more information or to register, visit meftoday.org.