The nation’s first-ever community-wide festival of laughter, Gilda’s LaughFest, is just a few days away. To celebrate the start of LaughFest 2018, the community is encouraged to “YELLOW UP” on March 8. Yellow Up is in support of the festival and to raise awareness for “the serious behind the funny”—the free cancer, grief and emotional health support programs offered through Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids.
Thursday is the kickoff for LaughFest. And the community is encouraged to “yellow up”. What does that mean exactly? Here’s Joanne Roehm, Gilda’s Club Director of Strategic Initiatives and LaughFest.
“So, as individuals you can wear yellow, you can dress up your pets. You can celebrate at work. Any way you can creatively “yellow up” to celebrate the start of the festival we encourage you to do it. And you can share your photos on their Facebook page for prizes.”
People and their pets won’t be the only thing “yellowing up” on Thursday. The city will glow at night as well.
“Starting on Thursday evening, you will see certain buildings glowing in yellow, including the blue bridge turning yellow and some of the overpasses that we have some great city lighting on .
Joanne says they definitely want the community to embrace the fun, but they also want us to remember the reason behind LaughFest.
“We are looking at the serious behind the funny. The important programming and emotional healthcare that happens at Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids year round.”
You can find any and everything LaughFest you need at LaughFest.org. That includes tickets and yellow up ideas. You can also now stop by LaughFest central, located at 40 Monroe Center.
