On Saturday, May 21, the streets of Manheim will be aglow when the Manheim Area Chamber of Commerce hosts the eighth annual Rock-N-Glow 5K, along with a Kids' Color Fun Run. The event will begin and end in Market Square. Registration will open at 6 p.m. The kids' race will start at 8 p.m., and the 5K will kick off at 9 p.m.

Festivities during the event will include a dance party with a DJ, food trucks, kids' activities and a variety of glow-in-the-dark items for participants. Awards will be presented after the race.

Pre-pandemic, the Rock-N-Glow drew thousands of people to the Manheim community, said Kristie Schmid, executive director of the Manheim Area Chamber of Commerce. The organization was able to host a scaled-down Kids' Color Fun Run last year, but this will be the first time the event will be held full force since 2019. "This is the Chamber's main fundraiser each year," Schmid explained. "While membership dues revenue certainly helps, we are a nonprofit and count on this event income to carry out our mission effectively."

The Kids' Color Fun Run, a half-mile race, is open to children ages 5 to 14. Participants are encouraged to wear white, and powdered color will be sprayed on runners during the race. The Rock-N-Glow is open to all runners and walkers and will include music and light shows along the route. Participants and spectators are encouraged to dress head-to-toe in clothes and gear that will glow.

The Rock-N-Glow gives participants the opportunity to support the Chamber while having fun outside, Schmid said. "The benefits to running either race are threefold: exercise in a fun way, support the Manheim community and enjoy getting outside after a long two years," she remarked.

She emphasized that the event still needs community support to be successful. "It will truly take a village to pull this off," she stated. "We cannot do it without the support of the community. Run, volunteer or sponsor if you are able." Sponsors of the Rock-N-Glow include PennStro Leasing, SUPPLY, Utility Keystone Trailer Sales and Blue Ridge Communications.

To register for the Rock-N-Glow, visit https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/Manheim/RockNGlow5K. Participants who register by Sunday, May 1, will receive a complimentary race T-shirt. Online registrations will be accepted until the start of the race. To sign up as a volunteer for the event, visit https://runsignup.com/Race/Volunteer/PA/Manheim/RockNGlow5K. For more information, visit http://www.manheimchamber.com, call 717-665-6330 or search for "Manheim Rock-N-Glow" on Facebook.