Photos courtesy of FIM
Flint, Mich. — In celebration of our nation’s day of independence, FIM and RICH Kids Inc. are back again this year with Fourth of July festivities in the heart of the city of Flint as they present the 9th Annual Flint Water Festival and FIM Holiday Celebration to promote wellness for Flint youth.
It is free to attend the festival! Most of the holiday celebration activities are also free and will run from 9 a.m. to dark on July 4 at General Motors’ Durant-Dort Factory One at 303 W. Water Street in Flint’s historic Carriage Town neighborhood, the birthplace of General Motors.
The event will feature food, beverages and activities throughout the day for the whole family, including:
- Collector Car Auction and car show
- Pickleball for Water Tournament and Pickleball open play
- Drippie, the Flint Water Festival mascot
- Free water giveaway
- Soak City Splash Park
- Glow Foam Party
- Fireworks at dusk
One of the highlights is the free Music Around Town production presented by FIM on the Summer Stage starting at 6 p.m. The line-up includes local and regional artists such as DJ Brian Larkin, Fernando Silverio Solis, Madison Olivia, Flintdustry and Hustlers on the Move. The headliner at 9 p.m. is Marshall Charloff & The Purple xPeRIeNCE, the official Prince tribute band from Minneapolis, licensed by the Prince Estate.
Kay Smith founded the festival. She grew up with one brother who lost his biological father to Legionnaires Disease amid the Flint Water Crisis. Hence, she founded the Flint Water Festival, created DRIPPIE the water mascot, and RICH Kids Inc. – a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization – in an effort to uplift marginalized communities and level the playing field for all. Through her work within the entertainment industry, Smith has supplied “tons” of water and educational resources for disadvantaged groups in Flint and beyond.
The 9th annual festival is generously supported by Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, Whiting Foundation, City of Flint, Back to the Bricks, Flint Downtown Development Authority, Ameriprise Financial (Dawn Hausch-Cooper, CRPC), Xcelerated IT Strategies, Frozen in Time Treasures, ASEL Estate Liquidators and Mecum Auctions.
For a full schedule of events or more information, visit https://thefim.org/july4. This page also includes links to register to win trophies and cash prizes in the various tournaments and car shows.
