The nation’s first-ever festival of laughter, Gilda’s LaughFest, announced Wednesday that the event will return for its sixth season.

LaughFest 2016 is scheduled for March 10 through March 20. 

An announcement regarding headliners for the event will be held later this year.

Proceeds and donations from LaughFest support the free emotional healthcare programs offered for children and adults living with cancer and grief for any reason through Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids. During its first five years, funds raised during LaughFest accounted for approximately 10 percent of Gilda’s Club’s annual budget.

“We are thrilled to announce the return of Gilda’s LaughFest for a sixth year,” Joanne Roehm, festival director, said in a statement. “With every festival, we are raising awareness for our cancer and grief programming and services offered through Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids, and dollars to help keep these services free. We are so pleased that the community has been behind us every step of the way. None of this would be possible without their support."

In 2015, more than 45,000 people attended LaughFest’s 270 ticketed and free events at 49 venues in Grand Rapids, Lowell, and Holland. During the 10 day event, the festival featured over 750 artists and attracted visitors from 644 U.S. zip codes. In total, LaughFest tracked guests from 34 states, Canada and the United Kingdom.

Visit www.laughfestgr.org, or call 616-735-HAHA (4242) to learn more about Gilda’s LaughFest.

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