The Go Gold Festival was the first of its kind in the Edwardsville Glen Carbon area but was proven by its high number of attendees to be a hit.

The festival was the first of four major events set to take place in September as the Painting the Town Gold Organization (PTG) endeavors to raise $100,000 for childhood cancer research.

“I thought it turned out great,” EHS junior and PTG founder Todd Schultz said. “We had a lot of people come out, some from our community and others from surrounding. We raised awareness and got closer to our goal.”

The event included bounce houses, face painting, balloon animals, snow cones, food and more, all while raising awareness for childhood cancer.
Among those enjoying the event were local cancer patients themselves.

“We had a little girl from Alton who had a brain tumor come out and she was just so happy that she could get free food and play games,” Schultz said. “It seemed like one of the best nights she has had in a while.”

Also at the event was PTG warrior and EHS graduate Sam Merkel. Merkel was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in 2013. Then in 2014 the cancer was found again this time it had metastasized to his skull and also his lungs.

“I love it (the festival),” Merkel said, “Especially since I’m still battling myself.”

Mariah Guilbeault, who was diagnosed with synovial sarcoma in 2012, has been working with Schultz on PTG events since January.

“I thought that it was really cool to see that our hard work was paying off and that other patients were there,” Guilbeault said. “It lets us see exactly who and what we are working for.”

Other PTG events set to take place include Trivia night at the Edwardsville American Legion on Sept. 11, a 5K run at Township Park on Sept. 19 and The Go Gold Mayors Ball at the Wildey Theater on Sept. 27.

Also happening throughout the month is the organization’s Dine for a Cure Campaign. Sixteen local restaurants have pledged to donate part or all of their proceeds from a certain day to the PTG organization. Next week’s Dine for a Cure locations are Unkle Munkey’s on Sept. 13, Culvers on Sept. 14, Texas Roadhouse on Sept. 15 and Papa Murphey’s on Sept. 16.

Along with the Dine for a Cure, on Sept. 12 five local businesses will donate a portion of their sales as part of the Shop for a Cure event. Those businesses include Sweeties, Exactime Watches & Clocks, Honey Dip Cupcakes, Miss Bailey’s Poppy Patch and Premiere Designs (Sandra Conway at Sweeties). On Sept. 22 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Pottery Hollow a portion of sales will be donated to pediatric cancer research as part of a Pottery for a Cure event.

Half of the proceeds raised this month will go to the Jason Motte Foundation to benefit pediatric cancer research, and the other half will go to the St. Baldricks Foundation for childhood cancer research.

Though just in its inaugural year, Shultz has big dreams for his organization already.

“In the future, I hope PTG becomes an annual event and worldwide foundation,” Schultz said.