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>> LOCAL NONPROFIT HOPES TO TURN 5-K RACE AND FREDSTOCK MUSIC FESTIVAL INTO AN ANNUAL EVENT

Festival benefiting kids with HIV/AIDS plans to become annual event

Date published: 6/25/2009

BY ZACK SMITH

FOR THE FREE LANCE-STAR

Musical history was made in August 1969 when 400,000 people descended upon Woodstock, N.Y., for a once-in-a-lifetime concert event. Forty years later, a slightly smaller audience will descend upon the Cannon Ridge Golf Club Sunday to take part in the ambitiously named FredStock '09.

The forces behind FredStock are Ozzy Ramos, founder and chief executive officer of local nonprofit Home of Miracles and Embraces, and Bob Smith, the director of development for HOME Sports.

Ramos, who lost his wife and two children to complications from AIDS, founded HOME in 2006 to provide support for children with HIV.

The FredStock festival was conceived as a way to raise funds and awareness for the organization. Last year, HOME attempted a similar festival on a much smaller scale. A lot has been added for the second edition.

The event will begin at 8 a.m. with a 5-k walk/run. The free music portion will last from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m., along with a kids' pavilion and food area.

When it was decided that there would be a 5-k, Smith thought back to his positive experiences at the local Turkey Trot and sought help from Vic Culp of the Fredericksburg Area Running Club.

"He went out and certified a really nice course a very scenic course for people to participate in," said Smith.

The 5-k will be run on roads surrounding Cannon Ridge and is USA Track & Field certified. Smith said early online registration has already surpassed the goal for the race.

The music portion of the festival will begin after the race and features a large and varied lineup performing on the two stages. "I guess you could say we're cutting a wide net as we are covering a lot of genres. We have a band for everyone's taste."

There will be some jazz and funk with Anthony Campbell and the Third Stream Giants. "We had a fun time last year and are really excited about the size and scope of this year's festival," said Campbell in a recent interview.

What: FredStock includes a 5-k race/walk, family events and music from Tiltfinger, No Shots for Ben, She Bites Dogs, CAZ Flame, Un Mundo, Ramona Lynn, Full Armor of God, DJ Praisum, Third Stream Giants, Brandishing Steel, Ill Angelic featuring Jonathan Sorrow, and B-Hive. Where: Cannon Ridge Golf Club, 9000 Celebrate Virginia Parkway, Stafford When: Sunday; 8 a.m. (race), 11 a.m.-8 p.m. (music festival) Cost: $20-$30 (race); music festival is free (donations accepted) Info: 540/479-4030 Web: iwannagohome.org; racetimingunlimited.org (for race registration)

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Date published: 6/25/2009