Aislinn Spain's 5th Anniversary

High 5 on the 4th in 2012.

I'm feeling a little nostalgic today.  Is #MemoryMonday a thing yet?  If it isn't, I'm making it a thing now.  Every year when we start a new summer season at Grassroots, it's like a fresh slate.  A new year with new classes, new music, new movies, new fun.  But it also brings up a lot of memories.  "Remember last year when..." is a pretty common phrase this time of year as we all look back and think about what we've done before and how we can do things bigger and better this time around.

Cheering on runners at the Freedom Run in 2014.

I realized today that this Fun 4th is going to be my 5th one.  I know this is a small number to many of the awesome people who make Fun 4th possible, some of whom are headed toward their 50th Fun 4th anniversary.  But to me 5 years is a big one.  This started as a simple summer job that was only supposed to last 4 months.  It has turned into over 4 years.  Fun 4th has become as much a part of my life as high school or college were.  It has become it's own era.  It's own chapter in the tell-all I will write when I become a celebrity.

Bring Your Friends and Get in the Picture in 2011.

It hasn't been without challenges.  Most of the best things are that way.  For many years, Fun 4th and I had a love/hate relationship that was more hate than love.  The long hours, the heat, the never having July 4th free to go to the beach, can be brutal.  But as time goes on the stories are told with less resentment and more pride.  The long days become less exhausting and more thrilling.  And over time, this festival has become something that I can't imagine my life without.


I get asked a lot, "How has Fun 4th been going on for so long?" or "Why are all these people still doing this?"  Honestly, I don't really know.  I haven't been around long enough to know and I can't speak for the majority of the people that have kept this thing going.  But, I can speculate that what

Eating all of these donuts in 2013.

keeps everyone coming back is some version of what has kept me going all of these years.  I will never forget my first Fun 4th, looking out into a crowd of hundreds of snare drummers, vibrating with anticipation, ready to attempt breaking a world record.  I know it was hot and loud and I hadn't slept in what felt like days.  I don't remember any of that though.  I remember being happy and excited and alive.  And once you feel that it's a hard thing to let go of.

Of course, all of this applies to you too!  I'm sure all of you can remember your 1st, or 5th, or 20th Fun 4th.  Maybe it was the year your first child was born.  Maybe it was the first year you lived in Greensboro.  Maybe it was the first time your family had ever seen fireworks.  I bet if you think about it hard enough, you can get pulled right back to that time and you will have a happy heart thinking about who you were then and what your life was like and what Fun 4th has meant to you all these years.

For me, my 1st Fun 4th was a time when everything was different.  I had a new husband, was living in a new town, was starting my first real job.  I was both excited and scared.  Everything was decided and everything was unsure all at once.  And I was standing on a stage, hoping not to get stampeded

Dancing at the Block Party in 2014.

by 800 anxious drummers, wondering if there was anything better than this.

Last year I asked you guys to come out and celebrate Fun 4th's 40th anniversary.  I honestly feel like it was one of the best years yet and it wouldn't have happened at all if we hadn't been able to share it with all of you.  This year, I would love if every single one of you came to Fun 4th and shared my 5th anniversary with me.  It's no 40, that's for sure, but I will be celebrating none the less.  If you've never been to Fun 4th, even better.  Come make your first Fun 4th memory this year.  I promise it will be something you'll never forget!

Honor Military at Fun Fourth Festival Freedom Run & Walk

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Aislinn Spain, Operations Assistant

administration@grassrootsproductionsltd.org         

336.274.4595

www.funfourthfestival.org

Facebook:  facebook.com/Fun4thGSO

Twitter: @Fun4thGSO

HONOR MILITARY AT FUN FOURTH FESTIVAL FREEDOM RUN & WALK

GREENSBORO, N.C. – March 31, 2015 - The 2015 Fun Fourth Festival Freedom Run and Walk will be held at 8 a.m., Saturday, June 27 in Downtown Greensboro.  Participants are invited to run or walk in honor of military personnel or veterans.  American flags, decorated strollers and patriotic costumes are also encouraged.

The Freedom Run and Walk, part of the Greensboro Race Series, includes three events:

• 10K Freedom Run (electronic timing)

Race starts 8:00 a.m.

Pre-registration $25; $30 day of race

Military discount or groups of 10+, $20 each

Cash prizes and commemorative awards.

• 2-Mile Red, White and Blue Fun Run and Walk

Race starts 8:10 a.m.

Competitive-Timed pre-registration $15; $18 day of race

Competitive-Timed military discount or groups of 10+, $12 each

Non-Competitive-Not Timed pre-registration $12; $15 day of race

Non-Competitive-Not-Timed military discount or groups of 10+, $10 each

Commemorative awards.

• Tot Trot

Race starts 9:15 a.m.

Free; no registration required

Souvenir awards for all participants.

T-shirts are guaranteed to those registered prior to June 11.  Day-of-race registration will be held from 6:30-7:30 a.m. at the Greensboro Marriott Downtown, 301 N. Greene St.  The Awards Ceremony will be staged at 9:15 a.m. in the same location.

Electronic timing with a digital clock and finish line services will be provided for the Freedom Run 10K and the Competitive 2-Mile Red, White and Blue Fun Run by On the Mark Sports.  A finish line photographer will be present. Pets are prohibited for safety reasons.

Applications and race details are available at www.funfourthfestival.org.   Online registration is available at www.runsignup.com.

The Freedom Run and Walk offers participants a way to honor military personnel and veterans and serves as a fundraiser for the Fun Fourth Festival. 

For more information about the Fun Fourth Festival, please visit www.funfourthfestival.org, www.facebook.com/Fun4thGSO, follow on Twitter @Fun4thGSO, or call 336.274.4595.

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Call for Crafters and Artisans for 2015 Fun Fourth Festival

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Aislinn Spain, Operations Assistant   

administration@grassrootsproductionsltd.org

336.274.4595

www.funfourthfestival.org

Facebook:  facebook.com/Fun4thGSO

Twitter: @Fun4thGSO

CALL FOR CRAFTERS AND ARTISANS FOR 2015 FUN FOURTH FESTIVAL

GREENSBORO, N.C. – March 17, 2015 - Organizers for this year’s Fun Fourth Festival in downtown Greensboro are accepting applications for crafters and skilled artisans for their Craftscene on Saturday, July 4.  More than 90,000 people are expected at this year’s street festival.

Craftscene offers three different vending opportunities.

·      Handmade Crafts: the sale of items made from start to finish by the applicant.

·      Commercial Crafts: the sale of items that the applicant designs, creates, or produces with assistance from others.

·      Service Crafts: the sale of face or hair painting; psychic readings; Henna tattoos; airbrushed tattoos; etc.

Design and artistic excellence are considered for paintings, graphics, sculpture, ceramics, textiles, photography and mixed media. Items must be acceptable for family viewing.

For Handmade Crafts only, $100 awards will be given in the Best of Show, Best Guilford County Artisan and Best Presentation/Display categories.  Awards of excellence are sponsored by VF Jeanswear.

Interested parties are required to submit an application for participation in the 2015 Fun Fourth Festival Craftscene. The application is available for download or online submission at www.funfourthfestival.org

The deadline for submitting Craftscene applications is June 1, 2015.  Please note that Marketplace and Food Vending are by invitation only.

For more information about the Fun Fourth Festival, please visit www.funfourthfestival.org, www.facebook.com/Fun4thGSO, follow on Twitter @Fun4thGSO, or call 336.274.4595.

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Save the Date for 2015 Fun Fourth Festival - Red, White & Cool!

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Aislinn Spain, Operations Assistant

administration@grassrootsproductionsltd.org

336.274.4595

www.funfourthfestival.org

Facebook:  facebook.com/Fun4thGSO

Twitter: @Fun4thGSO

SAVE THE DATE FOR 2015 FUN FOURTH FESTIVAL – Red, White & Cool!

GREENSBORO, N.C. – March 17, 2015 - Organizers of the 41^st annual Fun Fourth Festival invite you to celebrate a Red, White & Cool Fourth of July.  Stay cool at Fun 4^th with music, food, rides, beer and tons of patriotic fun.  The festival will be held in the Downtown Greensboro Historic District and Hamburger Square Park.

Enjoy a staycation this year with all of the Fun 4^th events, including the Freedom Run & Walk, the Kickoff Block Party, the Independence Day Parade and the Street Festival.  The finale event is the News & Record Pops Concert and the Gate City Fireworks Spectacular at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex.

For more information about the Fun Fourth Festival, volunteering, booth and crafters applications and sponsorship opportunities, please visit www.funfourthfestival.org, www.facebook.com/Fun4thGSO, follow on Twitter @Fun4thGSO, or call 336.274.4595.

2015 Fun Fourth Festival Schedule

Saturday, June 27

8 a.m.

Fun Fourth Freedom Run and Walk, 10K and 2-mile Fun Run & Walk

Run or walk in honor of our dedicated military personnel & veterans. Deck yourself out in a patriotic costume and show off your American spirit!  Race number five of the Greensboro Race Series.

Headquarters/Start/Finish: Greensboro Marriott Downtown, 301 N. Greene St.

Day of Race Registration:  6:30 - 7:30 a.m.

Pre-registration and fees online: www.funfourthfestival.org

Friday, July 3

Kickoff Block Party

7 – 11 p.m.

Carolina Theatre parking lot, 310 S. Greene St.

Admission: $5

Bring your lawn chairs, dancing shoes and friends!

Free parking; no pets or coolers, please.

Saturday, July 4

Independence Day Parade at Fun Fourth Festival

9:30 a.m.

Parade route:  Begins at N. Greene & Bellemeade Street, travels south on Greene, west on Washington, disbands north on Eugene.

Admission: Free.

Featuring Fife and Drum Corps, baton twirlers, patriotic floats, classic cars and more!

Interested organizations, individuals and bands are invited to participate with completed Parade Application available at www.funfourthfestival.org

Free parking; no pets or coolers, please.

Saturday, July 4

Fun Fourth Street Festival

10 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Downtown Greensboro Historic District and Hamburger Square Park

Admission: Free.

Features four stages of live music, fair food, beer, crafts, musket firings, heritage and children's activities.

Applications for Craftscene, Community Bazaar and Sales and Sampling at www.funfourthfestival.org

Free parking; no pets or coolers, please.

Saturday, July 4

News & Record Pops Concert and Gate City Fireworks Spectacular

7:30 – 10 p.m., Gates open 6 p.m.

White Oak Amphitheatre at Greensboro Coliseum Complex

Admission: Free.

Patriotic Pops by the Philharmonia of Greensboro, 7:30-8:50 p.m.

Independence Day Ceremonies, 8:50-9:20 p.m.

Gate City Fireworks Spectacular, 9:30-10 p.m.

Tailgating allowed in parking lots only.  Cushions or blankets welcome on lawn. No lawn chairs or outside food & beverages allowed in amphitheatre.

Parking free after 6 p.m.; no pets, please.  Rain date: Saturday, July 5.

Follow cancellation and weather delays via Twitter @Fun4thGSO

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2015 Fun 4th Applications Are Online Now!

Calling all runners, crafters, and marching bands!  Applications for the 2015 Fun 4th Festival are online now.  All applicants can apply by mail or online.  Visit our website: Fun 4th Applications for all the info.

We are looking forward to celebrating with you!