The Mountain Education Foundation is gearing up for another Dash & Bash event, to be held at Signal Mountain Middle/High School Friday, April 20 from 6-8:30 p.m. Advance registration is open through Monday, April 16.
"It's one of the best parties on Signal Mountain; it's a ton of fun," said MEF Executive Director Hilarie Robison. "It's a good way to experience the community feel of Signal Mountain and benefit our schools at the same time."
The Mountain Education Foundation's Dash & Bash fundraiser features 5k and 1-mile races, plus a block party with games and bouncy houses. (Contributed photo)
Attendees at last year's Dash & Bash benefiting the Mountain Education Foundation enjoy the event's petting zoo. (Contributed photo)Pony rides are a new addition to this year's fourth annual event, which features 5k and 1-mile races, a toddler trot for runners under age 5, and a block party with games and bouncy houses. Also new is the "fish walk," which Robison described as similar to a cake walk but with the winner taking home a fish instead of a sweet treat.
Due to last year's especially windy event and the large number of inflatables, organizers of the 2018 Bash plan to bring the celebration indoors if necessary depending on the weather, as the event is held rain or shine, said Robison.
Tickets for activities will be available at the event for $1 each. Those who register in advance can get bundles of 15 tickets for $10. Wristbands that grant access to all activities aside from the photo booth and fish walk are available for $30 in advance or $40 the day of the event.
People who register in advance also get a discounted price of $25 on registration for the race, which will cost $35 on-site. No registration is necessary for the toddler trot. The only way to get a Dash & Bash T-shirt is to register in advance, Robison added.
The Dash & Bash is one of the foundation's two biggest fundraisers of the year, along with the Celebration for Education, both of which she said raise about $50,000 a year.
Funds raised from both events go toward the money the foundation allocates to each of the mountain's three public schools, a total of $300,000 combined. The money funds 12 teaching positions in the schools as well as a variety of educational enrichment programs, said Robison.
Race registration the day of the event begins at 5 p.m., and food stations open at 5:30. The Dash begins at 6, with the rest of the activities running from 6-8:30 p.m.