Step it up to raise funds for Raue Center

The 13th annual Bob Blazier Run for the Arts will be held on Sunday, May 2 in front of Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake.

Named after Bob Blazier, a zealous supporter of the arts, this event is an annual fundraiser for Raue Center. All of the proceeds benefit Raue Center's programs including Mission Imagination, its visual art galleries, community shows, Sage Studio and its season performances.

Attracting nearly 400 participants annually, this year's event will feature several new items including a Family and Friends Challenge, a Corporate Challenge, renaming of the 1-Mile event Rosemary's Walk and a community pancake breakfast.

Registration is now open. Register online at rauecenter.org or call (815) 356-9010 to request a registration form.

In celebration of Blazier's wife, Rosemary, organizers are naming the 1-mile event "Rosemary's Walk." The fee is $15 for adults or children.

Businesses can sign up 10 or more employees and/or their family members for the 5K and pay $25 each, a $5 discount. The team with the most participants wins. There also will be a secret challenge that also must be taken in order to win. The prize will be the infamous Bob Blazier gym shoe trophy, and your choice of either a private night at the movies for your employees and their families. Soda and popcorn will be provided and you choose the movie or pizza and beer for 20 people.

If you are a bit competitive, Family & Friends Challenge encourages you to create a team consisting of 10 or more friends/family for the 5K and pay $25 each, or do Rosemary's Walk and pay $13 each. The team with the greatest number of participants wins. Prizes are the same as the corporate challenge with one exception - his gym shoe trophy will be replaced with her gym shoe trophy.

Children, age 12 and younger, can enjoy the Kids 50-yard Dash. No registration is required. Ribbons will be awarded to top finishers.

What a better way to celebrate community than a pancake breakfast? There will be an inaugural breakfast from 7 to 11 a.m. Cost is $3 for children 12 and younger and $5 for adults. Sign up to attend on the race registration form.

Race-day T-shirts given to the first 300 registrants for the 5K and Rosemary's Walk only. Top place finishers receive awards and/or prizes. The fee for 5K adult is $30, or $35 after April 23. The fee for children under age 12 is $20; $25 after April 23. The fee for 5K Corporate Challenge or Family & Friends Challenge is $25 for adults; $30 after April 23. The fee for children under age 12 is $15; $20 after April 23.

Early bird registration will be through April 23. Register online at rauecenter.org or by mailing the registration form and payment to Raue Center for the Arts office, 108 Minnie St., Crystal Lake, IL 60014. Packets are available at the theater for pickup from noon to 5 p.m. April 30 and noon to 4 p.m. May 1.

On-site registration will be 6:30 to 7:45 a.m. The 5K start will be at 8 a.m. and 8:45 a.m. for the 1-mile walk. For information, call Laurie Bivona at (815) 356-9010 or e-mail lbivona@rauecenter.org.