Fun Fest 2013 Chairperson Lorrie Cooper announced a number of new events that will encourage physical activity in a press conference this morning at the Kingsport Aquatic Center. “Getting healthy and staying active is definitely the focus of many of our sponsors this year,” she said. “There are a lot of returning activities for you to do and also a lot of new events that are centered on getting our region up and moving for a healthier Kingsport and a healthier Tri-Cities.“There are events for runners, walkers, bicycle riders, dancers, artists and more.For bikers, Bays Mountain Park will host a Mountain Bike Poker Ride and Race on Saturday, July 13. They will also host a Mountain Bike Rally and Family Ride on the following Monday.There will be a Twilight Triathlon on Wednesday, July 17 which will include a 150-meter swimming portion, a 9-mile bicycle race and a 3-mile foot race. On Saturday, July 20, bicycle riders can compete in either a 45-mile or an 18-mile White Lightning Ride beginning and ending at the MeadowView Marriott. The Xtreme Showdown, a bicycle and skate competition, will be held at Scott Adams Memorial Skate Park at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 13.Walkers and swimmers will be interested in the Rediscover Kingsport activities, the Splash Fest Pool Party and the Move It Kingsport Walks. Rediscover Kingsport will take place throughout Fun Fest and includes a city-wide scavenger hunt and a self-guided historical tour. For details and supplies, visit the Fun Fest store in the Kingsport Area Chamber of Commerce at 400 Clinchfield St. The first Move It Kingsport Walk called Stroll R Walk on Saturday, July 20 will begin after the hot air balloon launch around 7 a.m. The second, Walk Along the River, will be a 2.1-mile walk and will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the Greenbelt.Those attending the Splash Fest Pool Party at the New Kingsport Aquatic Center will receive $1 off when they wear a Fun Fest T-shirt.Another new and exciting event is the Dodge High Fares Dodgeball Tournament at the J Fred Johnson Stadium on July 14. Proceeds will support Second Harvest Food Bank and the winning team’s charity of choice.Activities for dancers include the Dance for the Physically and Mentally Challenged, Broad Street Boogie on Friday, July 12 and The Has Beens Big Band afternoon dance on Monday, July 15.Many returning activities encourage healthy living like the one pitch softball tournaments, volleyball tournaments, the Rotary Frisbee Disc Golf Tournament and Croquet at Allandale. The headlining bands are Chris Tomlin and Big Daddy Weave on Thursday, Hunter Hayes, The Henningsens and Ella Mae Bowen on Friday and Chicago and Gavin Degraw on Saturday.
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