It Started With a Little Boy and a Laser Tag Gun. Now It's North Carolina's Turn.

Meet the Team Behind Freedom Fun Foothills

On a beautiful spring morning in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, something new arrived in the Foothills -- and the community showed up to celebrate.

Freedom Fun Foothills held its grand opening on April 11, 2026, welcoming families from across Wilkes County and the greater Winston-Salem area for a day of foam parties, laser tag, bounce houses, archery, cotton candy, and pure joy. It was the first Freedom Fun USA grand opening in North Carolina history -- and if the crowd that showed up is any indication, the Foothills was ready.

Meet the Team Behind Freedom Fun Foothills

Jim Haynes is not your typical business owner. A U.S. Air Force veteran who spent more than a decade as a jet engine mechanic stationed at bases around the world, Jim came home to North Carolina and built a family business rooted in integrity and follow-through that spans more than two decades.

His wife and business partner JoAnn Ellis-Haynes has been by his side since 2002 -- in life and in business. Together they bring a level of warmth, care, and commitment to every customer interaction that you simply cannot manufacture. You feel it the moment you meet them.

Rounding out the team is Matt Ellis, Freedom Fun Foothills General Manager, who brought incredible energy and professionalism to the grand opening and has quickly become an essential part of what makes this location special.

This is a family operation in every sense of the word. And the Foothills community felt it immediately.

A Day the Foothills Will Not Forget

The grand opening was held at a local park in the Wilkesboro area and featured a full lineup of Freedom Fun's most popular experiences -- all set up, staffed, and hosted by Jim and his team.

The foam party was an absolute hit. Kids of every age dove headfirst into the Party Rocker foam pit, with foam flying everywhere and smiles even bigger. From toddlers just discovering the magic of bubbles to older kids staging full-on foam battles, nobody stood on the sidelines.

Laser tag brought out the competitor in everyone. Kids crouched behind Freedom Fun bunkers, laser guns in hand, totally locked in. This is exactly what Freedom Fun was built for -- active, engaging, screen-free fun that gets hearts pumping and imaginations fired up.

The archery and inflatable games were a family affair. Dads got in on the action alongside their kids. Little ones tried their hand at the axe throwing game. The Sports Zone inflatable had moms pitching fastballs right alongside their toddlers. This is the whole point -- everyone playing, everyone laughing, everyone in it together.

The bounce houses and slides drew non-stop crowds. Little ones bounced for hours. The inflatable slide had kids flying down with arms wide open and immediately running back around to do it again.

And the cotton candy. Sometimes the simplest things are the sweetest. Freedom Fun USA founder Tim Masters -- ! 🎖️Combat Veteran Desert Storm hat on his head -- was right there behind the cotton candy machine, handing out spun sugar to every kid who walked up. Servant leadership in action.

This Is What Freedom Fun Is All About

"My goal is simple," said Jim Haynes. "I want families in the Foothills to have experiences they will never forget -- where kids feel like the stars of the show and parents finally get to relax and enjoy it too."

That goal was fully realized on April 11th.

Parents sat back and watched their kids light up. Grandparents cheered from the pavilion. Teenagers actually put their phones down and played. And little ones -- too young to even know what day it was -- squealed with delight in the foam and bounced until their legs gave out.

This is what happens when you take the stress out of celebration and just let families be families.

Now Open and Booking Events Across the Region

Freedom Fun Foothills is now open and accepting bookings for birthday parties, school events, church gatherings, HOA celebrations, corporate events, and community festivals across the NC Foothills and Piedmont Triad.

Jim and his team serve Winston-Salem, Wilkesboro, North Wilkesboro, Statesville, Hickory, Lenoir, Elkin, Mount Airy, Boone, Mooresville, and surrounding communities across Wilkes, Alexander, Catawba, Forsyth, Surry, Yadkin, Davie, and Iredell counties.

Every event includes full delivery, professional setup, on-site hosting, and complete breakdown. Free rescheduling is included on every booking. All equipment is sanitized before and after every event.

Reach Jim and the Freedom Fun Foothills team at freedomfunusa.com/location/winston-salem-nc-foothills or call (336) 502-4386.

Thank You, Foothills

To every family that came out on April 11th -- thank you. You made this day everything we hoped it would be and more.

North Carolina, Freedom Fun Foothills is just getting started.

Freedom Fun USA is a veteran-founded mobile entertainment franchise delivering joyful, stress-free celebrations to families and communities across America. Now serving Winston-Salem, Wilkesboro, Hickory, Statesville, and the NC Foothills.