Published: 07:00 AM, Fri Aug 21, 2009
Edwin McCain headlines the Rock 'N' Run Fest Saturday at Festival Park
By Brian Dukes
Staff writer
Saturday brings a charity run to downtown Fayetteville - so nice it's been named twice - and a concert headlined by Edwin McCain.
The Rock 'n' Run Fest is Saturday and is presented by the American Red Cross' Highlands Chapter. The race, now in its third year, is called the Run for the Red. In previous years, the race didn't include a daylong concert (appropriately titled Rock the Red), a fireworks show or the assorted activities planned to entice people to attend the Red Cross-sponsored event.
"We changed the name because there's so much more to the event this year," said Michael Russell, executive director of the Highlands Chapter of the American Red Cross. "It's a lot more festive, so we changed the name to the Rock 'n' Run Fest."
The road race festivities will begin at 7:30 a.m. and will include 5k and 10k races and a 1-mile fun walk. For the first time, this year's race includes a $1,500 cash purse, as well as a military challenge between running teams from the Army, Air Force and Marines. The winning military team gets not only bragging rights, Russell said, but a trophy to defend.
"We've got some new twists to this year's event," said Russell.
The non-running festivities include an all-day concert headlined by McCain. The beach-music band The Embers will kick off the festivities at 2 p.m. In between, The Breakfast Club will play '80s cover tunes. A $10 ticket includes admission to all three acts.
There also will be live music from several local artists throughout the day at a second stage in Festival Park Plaza from noon to 6 p.m.
A food-vendor area will be set up on the Festival Plaza promenade. This year's festival also will include a water-slide area for kids - and adults. There's a separate $5 all-day admission for the water park, which will consist of two- and three-story inflatable water slides. The inflatable water slides will be situated in the same spot where the inflatable rides were located during this year's Dogwood Festival, Russell added.
"We know it's going to be hot, so we're bringing a water park," Russell said.
A fireworks display will finish out the day's events, he said.
"This is our largest fundraiser for the year, and we want to make it special," said Russell. "The American Red Cross is so much more than blood donation. All of the funds we raise from this event will (be) used locally, for disaster relief, home fires and hurricanes, and more."
Bringing Red Cross awareness to the masses is chief among Russell's goals for this year's event. He will have help from an army of 300-plus Red Cross volunteers to handle the expected crowd of 8,000.
"We're going all out," he said. "Even the mayor proclaimed it to be American Red Cross Rock 'n' Run Day. We've never had our own day before."
Rock ’n’ Run Fest
Who: Edwin McCain, The Embers, The Breakfast Club
Where: Festival Park, downtown Fayetteville
When: Saturday. Races start at 7:30 a.m. Concert starts at 2 p.m.
Admission: Race registration is $20 in advance and $25 at the gate for adults. The cost is $15 for ages 13 to 18 and free for ages 12 and younger. All runners get into the concert for free.
Concert tickets: $10 for all-day admission and free for kids ages 12 and younger.
Information: www.rocknrunfest.com
Staff writer Brian Dukes can be reached at dukesb@fayobserver.com or 486-3523.