Annual Dash & Bash Will Bring Community Together for a Day of Fun

The anticipated Mountain Education Foundation springtime fundraiser, the Dash and Bash, is right around the corner. This outdoor event will be held on Friday, April 26, 5:00-8:00 pm, at the Signal Mountain Middle/High School (SMMHS). 

Back by popular demand, this year will include the Mountain Mile, a one-mile fun run through the area of the Signal Mountain Middle-High School campus. The Bash community party, with inflatables, a petting zoo, music and many of the favorite activity booths, has a small-town block party feel and will offer a variety of food trucks for fun culinary options. Hundreds of people young and old attend the Bash, even if they choose not to enter the Dash. 

This event provided exactly what the Robertson family was searching for when they moved to Signal Mountain. “We moved having this vision of what Signal would be, a close-knit small town. One spring, MEF brought us together as a community through Dash and Bash. We went to the event, I volunteered, my family ran around with friends, and I left saying, ‘This is it. This is exactly what I expected Signal to feel like.’ MEF really builds our community through these events to support our schools,” shared Casey Robertson.

This is just one testament of how Dash and Bash has united the community to support Signal students and schools through an evening of fun. This year will be no different with booths and activities for all ages and interests. For the younger children the traditional favorites are the petting zoo and the kiddie carnival with rides. The biggest hits run by school groups have typically been Arm Wrestle a Wrestler and Rent an Eagle, (where a football player will walk around with your child for a period of time). 

The Bash also has a wide variety of food options. This year, individual food trucks will be on hand to offer everything from burgers and barbecue to Mexican to shaved ice and more. Food truck vendors will accept cash or credit cards and donate a portion of proceeds back to MEF.

“The DAB is a wonderful event for the community to come together to have fun while supporting our public schools on Signal Mountain,” said Emily Cooper, one of the original organizers of the inaugural Dash and Bash in 2015. “It is like a big block party that brings us together as a community to celebrate our wonderful schools, amazing students and dedicated teachers. It is events like the DAB that make Signal Mountain such a great place to live and raise a family!”

The MEF fundraising event truly is a bash in every sense of the word, with 2500 attendees and 600 runners estimated to register and participate. An event of this size takes heart, and many helping hands.

The Dash and Bash welcomes all ages, skill levels, and abilities. The support of sponsors helps ensure it is a successful fundraiser. MEF seeks business sponsors to cover the event costs for DAB so that all funds raised can directly benefit our schools. MEF Annual Sponsors are key to this support and are joined by event-specific sponsors.

Funds raised through the event contribute to the annual MEF grant allocations for Nolan, Thrasher and SMMHS. Each school determines how they will use their funding each year. Traditionally they have prioritized hiring staff for classes and needs not covered by public funding, including STEM, Spanish, Tech/Computers, Tutoring, Intervention, and more. A complete list of what is funded this year by donations to MEF is at: https://meftoday.org/

Advance race registration and discount tickets and wristbands are available through April 22. The link for registration is found on the MEF website, https://meftoday.org. Early registration is $25 for the fun run. There is no entry fee for the Bash, though there are costs associated with activities. Wristbands for unlimited Bash activities can be purchased in advance for $30. Day-of prices at the event are higher. 

Pre-registered runners can pick up packets at the SMMHS on Thursday, April 25, 5:00-7:00 pm. Race day registration is available with pricing increasing to $40 for all runners and wristbands. There are no refunds and the event will be held rain or shine. 

“We want everyone to come out, have fun and feel the spirit of our community. There is no entry fee to just come enjoy the huge block party atmosphere and have fun with friends. Running in the Mountain Mile, participating in the booth activities with a wristband or tickets, and buying food, all contribute to funds raised for our schools. Net proceeds from the event will directly impact the funding available for Signal schools next year, so we hope for a phenomenal turnout! If you’re not able to attend at all, you can always make a contribution at MEFtoday.org. An investment of any amount makes a difference for our 2800 children, and is tax deductible,” said MEF Executive Director Hilarie Robison.

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