Headliners announced for LaughFest 2013

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - We now know the headliners for LaughFest 2013.

This is the third year for the comedy festival that will take place March 7-17 with an increased proceed supporting the cancer and grief programs at Gilda's Club Grand Rapids.

LaughFest 2013 will include more than 200 free and ticketed shows that feature more than 60 artists at more than 40 venues in Grand Rapids, Lowell, and Holland.

Ticket prices range from $7 to $55.50, excluding the Signature fundraising event. Festival ticket packages will be available to the public beginning at 9 a.m. Nov. 30 online at laughfestgr.org or by phone at 616.735-HAHA (4242).

The headliners for this year --

-- This year's Signature event features Wayne Brady

-- Lewis Black

-- Jim Breuer

-- Brian Regan

-- Gary Valentine, who played Cousin Danny on "The King of Queens"

-- Fortune & Friends featuring Fortune Feimster from "Chelsea Lately"

-- The Nerdist podcast featuring Chris Hardwick, Matt Mira and Jonah Ray

-- Bill Burr from "Breaking Bad"

 -- The comedy duo of Garfunkel and Oates (Kate Micucci and Riki Lindhome)

-- Shaq's All Star Comedy Jam featuring D.L. Hughley, Bruce Bruce, Finesse Mitchell and Gary Owen

-- Justin Willman, the host of "Cupcake Wars"

-- Joel McHale who plays "Jeff Winger" on "Community"

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For the Family Friendly Series, a live stage show for kids -- Strawberry Shortcake: Follow Your Berry Own Beat, with special guests The Doodlebops.

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Also announced was the "$50,000 Challenge" by the Wege Foundation to raise funds for Gilda's Club Grand Rapids.

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Also announced was the High Five! program -- an effort to raise $100,000 of additional funds specifically for the  Children’s Grief Program. Give LaughFest a “High Five” ($5) and the Wege Foundation will automatically match it with another $5 making your gift $10. Wege Foundation will match up to $50,000 worth of High Fives. Your $5 will support a grieving child who needs to find their smile in the midst of what they are experiencing.

The three ways you can High Five us --

1. Purchase a button from participating Grand Rapids restaurants and businesses November to March

2. Text “LAUGH” to 20222. Simply reply “YES” when you receive a message back to confirm your gift

3. Donate online at laughfestgr.org

Your gift is tax deducible and 100% of your gift stays in the community.

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The proceeds from the two previous LaughFest events were around $541,000.

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More than 56,000 people attended the LaughFest events in 2012, headlined by Whoopi Goldberg, Martin Short, Kevin Nealon and Jim Gaffigan.

More than 55,000 people from 25 states and Canada attended the 2011 festival, headlined by Bill Cosby and Betty White.