SGF Community Celebrates Spring in the Valley 2022

A little over a month ago, we were finally able to see everyone’s hard work unfold as we gathered for our second annual Spring in the Valley Festival. With each event, we find inspiration in the ways our SGF community celebrates our mission with us. If you were able to make it, we hope you had a wonderful time! For those of you who were unable to attend, we captured several memorable moments to share with you below.

Our First Car and Bike Show

We were so excited to add a car and bike show to SIV this year. What do we know about cars? Not much, but Blake Alvey with Automax in Rome knows plenty! Automax was gracious enough to sponsor Spring in the Valley’s Car and Bike Show. We owe a special thanks to everyone that participated in the show; the collection of cars and bikes was quite impressive. You can check some of these out below!

SGF Community Celebrates Differences

We are always looking for new ways to be more inclusive within our SGF community. This year, we wanted to ensure there were activities accessible for ALL children. Thankfully, we have some incredible minds eager and willing to share ideas with us on the best ways to do this. SLP-CCC and SGF Board Member, Emily Cantrell and Occupational Therapist Assistant and SGF Blog Contributor, Ashley Elrod lead the charge on planning and designing the SIV’s SGF Kids’ Booth! SGF is fortunate to have generous sponsors and volunteers who helped make this possible. Our SGF Kids’ Booth featured acrylic painting, a bubble machine, ring toss, a giant parachute, sidewalk chalk, and so much more!

Activities, activities, and more activities!

In addition to our SGF Kid’s Booth, we had a petting zoo, face painting, a bounce house, Kona Ice, and a special appearance by the Rome Fire Department – so much to do! The heat was relentless, but so were the kiddos. After working up a sweat in the bouncy house, Kona Ice was the perfect icy treat! We were all overjoyed to see the children playing their little hearts out and living their best life at SIV!

While the kids were at play, this is how the adults spent their day…

Spring in the Valley strives to offer something for ALL age groups; this includes the adults. All bias aside, these events are pretty fun for us big kids. In addition to the car and bike show, talented musicians took the stage from mid-morning to afternoon; each of them bringing their own style to SIV.

Jace Pearson set the tone for the day playing country tunes we all know and love. Following Jace’s performance, Justin Monday serenaded the crowd with his violin skills taking on so many hits. Finishing up the afternoon, Jake Larkin and Casey Duke had everyone singing along with them. This performance was exceptionally beneficial as it distracted those around me from witnessing my loss in a game of corn hole.

Musicians were not the only one’s showcasing their talents that day. The students from vendor SEO’s Martial Arts performed an awesome routine! All of our local vendors showed up to display their skills, crafts, and share their entrepreneurial passion with everyone. Looking back on the challenges these businesses have faced in the last two years, we are thankful for their time and contributions to Spring in the Valley.

How the SGF Community Honors SGF Families at events…

We want our communities to come out to these events and have a great time; we also want everyone that comes out to feel that sense of community within SGF we are so passionate about. It is our hope that by attending these events, we all leave with a better understanding and appreciation for the communities we serve. The current and future SGF Gifted Families are the passion behind our mission, and the inspiration to our existence.

A favorite highlight for everyone at SGF from these events is when our SGF Gifted Families make an appearance! This year, we were honored to have FOUR SGF families at Spring in the Valley! Our very own SIV 2022 event t-shirt designer, Jaley, made a special appearance. Since there was live music, you know Parker and his family were there to dance and sing along! The newest addition to our SGF kids, Russell, and his family came out to see us, too! Last, but not least, Kendall and her family came out to enjoy the festivities! We loved getting to see these beautiful families we proudly serve!

How Successful was Our Second Annual SIV?

TOGETHER WE RAISED $10,201.23!

Thanks to everyone who supported this year’s event, Specially Gifted Foundation will be able to gift TWO families!! We will announce these families soon; stay tuned!