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First Annual ‘Tie Dye Trot’ Happens at the Greenway April 14; Event Benefits High Country Cloggers Trip to Disney

By Paul T. Choate

TieDieApril 12, 2013. The first annual “Tie Dye Trot” happens Sunday, April 14, at 2 p.m. at the Greenway Trail. Hosted by High Country Dance Studio in Boone, the event will benefit the High Country Cloggers, with 100 percent of proceeds going to offset the cost of their trip to Disney World in June. 

The event is being sponsored by Wells Fargo, Cheap Joe’s Art Stuff, New River Building Supply, and many other local businesses. It in addition to the race, there will be performances, bounce houses and a community mural. In between performances, prizes will be given out courtesy of Advanced Auto Parts, Serendipity Hair Studio & Boutique, Tweetsie Railroad, The Gamekeeper Restaurant, Black Cat Burrito, Stick Boy Bread Company, Melanie’s, The Peddler, Ooh La La Manicures and Pedicures, and more. Prizes will be awarded not just to the fastest racers, but also those who demonstrate the most team spirit, sportsmanship and general happiness.

“It’s not just an event for runners. It’s not just an event for even the people who are coming to participate in the 5K itself,” said Amy Forrester, event coordinator. “I think it’s kind of an all around fun afternoon for local families.”

A few months ago, the award winning dancers were approved to dance at Downtown Disney and set about preparing for the challenge.

“Some of these kids have never even been to Disney before, so we’re just trying to make it easier on all the families to get them there,” Forrester said. “The kids are so excited!”

Race day participants can challenge themselves with a 5k race. Kids 12 and under can participate in a one-mile “Fun Run.”

The event will accept a total of 400 5K racers and 100 Fun Runners. Forrester said she expects the event to fill up, and said that although she will eventually have to cap registration she hates to turn anyone away. 

All participants should be prepared to get messy as the dancers and other volunteers toss clouds of rainbow-colored dye in their direction. In addition to that, Forrester said there will be water guns pre-filled with liquid corn starch paint, which will be available for purchase so runners can spray their friends and family during the race.

According to Forrester, it was the general consensus that the trip to Disney would not happen unless the whole clogging team and their families could go. 

“We want to make it happen for the whole group, because we think every child deserves the same experience,” Dance Studio Director Amber Hendley said. 

Hendley and instructors encourage growth and community participation by accepting many invitations for local performance opportunities.

Any earnings beyond the cost of the Disney trip will go directly to the HCDS scholarship fund, so that dancers can expand their skill base.

HCDS, home of the High Country Cloggers, teaches classes in clogging, jazz, hip hop, and creative movement, and is the home of the Mini Mountaineers Appalachian State University’s youngest dance team. In fact, some of the Mini Mountaineers are expected to take the trip to Disney as well.

On a regular basis, all of the dancers of HCDS perform at local fundraisers for families in need, nursing homes, Special Olympics rallies, and Relay for Life events, and have even orchestrated food drives for hungry local school children.

Most recently, the dancers planned, staffed, and performed at a Chili Cook off to raise money to feed local families their holiday meals. They earned 15 of these meal baskets and hand-delivered them to those families the day before Thanksgiving. They have learned to use their skills to better their community.

Race Info:

  • Race Registration fee for the run will be $35 for an individual, $45 race day, $85 for a family (parents and up to 3 children under 15), $95 for family race day. Groups, such as youth groups and sports teams will benefit from a special rate if registered by March 15. Group leaders should email amyforrester1977@gmail.com to sign up.
  • Race T-shirts will only be guaranteed to those who pre-register and complete payment 3 weeks in advance.
  • Any additional shirts will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • If you miss the T-shirt cutoff, we advise wearing a solid white T-shirt and creating your own tie dye. 

For detailed information, visit our website at bit.ly/TieDyeTrot or contact Tracy Tilley 478-973-6671 tracywtilley@skybest.com  or Amy Forrester 828-406-7351 amyforrester1977@gmail.com.