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Summer festival begins today
Helicopter rides are among the attractions
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Published: June 18, 2009
KERNERSVILLE
This year's Summerfest, which runs today through Saturday, aims to at help raise money for charities.
But the recession is likely to have some charities feeling the pinch.
Arnold King, the chairman of the Kernersville Foundation, said that sponsorships for Summerfest are down, and sponsorship income is off $10,000.
"Due to the economy, a lot of sponsors had to reduce what they could do, and I understand that," King said.
The loss won't affect what organizers plan to offer at the festival, he said.
Summerfest began in 2002 to raise both awareness and money for the Kernersville Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports Kernersville-based charitable agencies. Despite being a fundraiser, the festival is free to families.
"Our sponsors give enough to underwrite the entire event,'' King said. "Even though that has been reduced, we haven't decreased anything as far as everything else goes."
Summerfest will have its usual series of concerts, with the popular local group, Band of Oz, as tonight's opening act. The festival is held on the grounds of Kernersville Elementary on Mountain Street. There will be food, rides and artists booths, too.
Organizers also offer a free petting zoo for children. This year, the Kernersville Downtown Preservation and Development Council is preselling hot-dog meal packages. These are being included with 400 to 500 wristbands offering free rides for area students who might not otherwise afford or attend Summerfest.
A new feature at this year's festival will be helicopter rides over Kernersville. The $40 ride will take passengers on an aerial tour of downtown.
King said that the loss in sponsorship money will be reflected in the amount of money distributed to Kernersville nonprofit organizations. Last year, the foundation gave grants to 13 nonprofits totaling $33,100. King expects that figure to be lower unless the foundation decides to do some type of giving campaign in the fall.
"The public won't notice any difference at Summerfest," King said. "It's even bigger and as good as ever, with even a few attractions added. We didn't scrimp on the fireworks or the bands."
King said he is hoping for clear skies and pretty weather so that the Kernersville Foundation will not take a hit from Mother Nature as well.
"Fortunately, we have enough money to cover Summerfest. Maybe we'll be very lucky and make money, too," King said.
■ Monica Young can be reached at cyoung9@triad.rr.com.
■ For more information about the Kernersville Foundation or about Summerfest contact Arnold King at 993-2202 or visit www.kernersvillefoundation.org.
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