FLINT, Mich. (June 23, 2021) — Friends of Berston announces international funk/disco band headliner Heatwave to open the Flint Water Festival at Flint’s historic Berston Field House. The Grammy-nominated group is scheduled to perform for the water cause on Friday, July 2 at 7 p.m. Best known for their singles “Boogie Nights,” “Always and Forever” and “The Groove Line,” residents are encouraged to attend the free concert, pick up water donations, and enjoy the carnival.
Friends of Berston, Flint Institute of Music and RICH Kids Inc. have partnered for the Sixth-Annual Flint Water Festival. The festival is set to take place at Berston Field House July 2-4, 2021, with Elliott’s Amusements carnival scheduled from 12-10 p.m. each day. The entire family fun weekend will also include water giveaways sponsored by JUST Water, Liquid Death and National Clean Water Collective. Festival attendees can also view the charity’s auction items, including an NBA Orlando Magic 2019-20 team-autographed woodgrain basketball. Krista Kim, creator of the first non-fungible token (NFT) cryptocurrency digital house, entitled Mars House, which sold for more than $500,000, is donating and curating water-inspired virtual pieces from international and local artists through the augmented reality platform SuperWorld App.
The City of Flint and Mayor Sheldon Neeley are looking forward to the following special guests performing for the important cause: Grammy-nominated gospel singer Tiff Joy; Stellar Award-nominated ensemble Larry Callahan and Selected of God, from America’s Got Talent 2015; acclaimed jazz pianist Roger Jones Music, and more. Performances will be sponsored by Friends of Berston, Flint Institute of Music and Hagerman Foundation Fund of the Community Foundation of Greater Flint. The festival is produced by Kay Smith Productions, and a livestream will begin Sunday, July 4 at 6 p.m. on Facebook.com/safewater4all for those who prefer a virtual option. The festival concludes with a 10 p.m. firework finale sponsored by Huntington Bank.
Highlights from the 2021 Flint Water Festival:
Friday, July 2
- Elliott’s Amusements Carnival + Shuttle Service from Downtown Flat lot to Berston: 12-10 p.m.
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Club 93.7 FM Live Remote + Host: 3-5 p.m.
- Drippie’s Water Drive: 3-6 p.m.
- Mayor Sheldon Neeley Welcome: 6 p.m.
- DJ SuperClark | Detroit’s Teen DJ: 6-7 p.m.
- Berston Senior Steppers: 6:30-6:45 p.m.
- NFT Augmented Reality Concert Experience: 6:45 p.m.
- Heatwave in Concert: 7-8 p.m.
Saturday, July 3
- Elliott’s Amusements Carnival + Shuttle Service from Downtown Flat lot to Berston: 12-10 p.m.
- Club 93.7 FM Live Remote + Host: 3-5 p.m.
- NFT Water Art Walk: 3-6 p.m.
Tours begin at The X at 3 p.m., 4 p.m., and 5 p.m.
The X, Comma Bookstore & Social Hub, The Loft, 501 Bar & Grill, Churchill’s
Food & Spirits Featuring water-inspired NFTs + specialty drinks paired with
Liquid Death Sparkling Water
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98.9 FM The Beat Live Remote + DJ Hype: 5-7 p.m.
- Roger Jones - 90s R&B Band: 7-8 p.m.
Sunday, July 4
- Elliott’s Amusements Carnival + Shuttle Service from Downtown Flat lot to Berston: 12-10 p.m.
- Petting Zoo + Pony Rides: 2-4 p.m.
- Club 93.7 FM Live Remote + Host: 3-5 p.m.
- The Water Chat featuring a virtual performance by Tiff Joy: 4-5 p.m.
- Festival Livestream: 6 p.m.
- Sunday Service Choir Tribute featuring Larry Callahan & Selected of God: 6-7 p.m.
- Continuation of Livestream including festival recap: 7-8 p.m.
- 98.9 FM The Beat Live Remote + DJ Woo: 8-10 p.m.
- Firework Finale: 10 p.m.
About the cause
In the beginning, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ordered the city of Flint to replace 18,000 lead and galvanized service lines (i.e. underground). Six years later, research suggests about 90 percent of the project is complete, and fewer than 1,000 service lines are left to be checked. The festival raises funds to replace pipes inside the 18,000 homes. The average cost to fix the pipes per home is approximately $5,000. Every day people can become a part of the solution by sponsoring the charity’s in-home pipe replacement program to help low-income homeowners.
About the charity
RICH Kids Inc. is a nonprofit organization leveling the playing field for all. The Flint Water Festival is an annual charity event dedicated to raising funds and awareness to provide safe water for communities affected by the water crisis in Flint and abroad. The festival gives residents free water and a creative platform to improve their social, emotional, and physical development. The Internal Revenue Service recognizes RICH Kids Inc. as a Section 501(c)(3) public charity. The Federal Tax ID# is 26-4045237. Gifts to RICH Kids Inc. are tax-deductible in the U.S.
