Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

By DONALD MOTTERN | Staff Writer

MONTEVALLO – Students currently enrolled in the University of Montevallo’s 2024 Spring Social Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Class are currently preparing to present the first ever Dash and Dine charity event scheduled to occur on the university’s historic campus on Saturday, April 13.

Students enrolled in UM’s Stephens College of Business will host the event, consisting of two parts, regardless of weather. Incorporating the “Dash” side of the event, there will be a 5K held at 10 a.m. and a fun run at 10:30 a.m. To present the “Dine” half of the gathering, the runs will lead directly into a food competition set to take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. that will also incorporate a silent auction and the chance to enjoy a variety of food trucks.

In hosting the event, the students are provided with the opportunities to practice and gain experience in the fields of design, marketing, sponsorship and event management in ways that exceed what a classroom setting can achieve.

“It’s eye opening, and sometimes challenging, to see everything that goes into putting on an event like this, but it’s also fulfilling to help support these organizations,” UM student Veronica Kloss said.

The event as a whole will support two local organizations, the Boys and Girls Club of Montevallo and The Arc of Shelby County. All proceeds generated by the event will be split between the two organizations and the class has publicly set its fundraising goal at $10,000 for the event.

“Seeing students create and execute an event of this magnitude is rewarding for an instructor,” said DeAnna Smith, UM professor and instructor of accounting who teaches the social entrepreneurship and sustainability course. “By the end of (events like these), students are always beaming with pride in knowing they were able to put on a successful event and have a meaningful impact on the communities served by the organizations.”

Participants in the 5K race will need to arrive at the Robert M. McChesney Student Activity Center to check in at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the race.

Prices to participate in either the 5K race or the fun run are as follows:

•  5K race adult – $35
•  5K race student – $20
•  Fun run adult – $20
•  Fun run student – $15

The food competition will consist of the categories of best barbecue, best wild game, best international and best dessert. The two-hour competition will conclude at 1:30 p.m. and the winners of the event will be announced shortly thereafter.

Student event organizers are still accepting participants for the food competition as well as tasters that will help judge the event. Entries for either side of the competition are available for purchase at the following rates:

•  Cook-off contestant – $50
•  Cook-off taste tester – $15
•  Adult 5K and taste tester bundle – $40
•  Student 5K and taste tester bundle – $30
•  Adult Fun Run and taste tester bundle – $30
•  Student Fun Run and taste tester bundle – $25
•  Adult 5K, Fun Run and taste tester bundle – $50
•  Student 5K, Fun Run and taste tester bundle – $35

Special bundles are available for those who also purchase tickets for the runs.

Walk-ups will be accepted for both tasters and runners on the day of the event.

Outside of the food competition, refreshments will be available throughout the entirety of the day for purchase and musical entertainment and tailgate game will also be provided by event organizers.

Those looking for more information and to purchase tickets for the event are encouraged to visit Montevallo.edu/dash-and-dine.