October is Domestic Violence Awareness month and Natchez is getting all dressed up to raise funds to assist the children and families at The Guardian Shelter.

The Guardian Shelter houses children and families which are victims of domestic violence and provides necessary support services to these families.

The annual Purple Dress Run and Pub Crawl will take place Saturday, Oct. 9. All runners and crawlers will participate in a purple dress so guys and gals get busy finding that perfect purple dress.

You might want to wear some shorts underneath and good sneakers for comfort! Groups and clubs would be fun; however, all willing to wear dresses for successes are encouraged to participate in the fun!

Pre-run/crawl festivities will kick off Friday night, Oct. 8 at Doc Big Luvs with “The Glitter Boys” band, door prizes and drink discounts. Come enjoy the party as you pre register for the run/crawl for $25, which entitles you to a T-shirt, goodie bag and a purple bracelet that will admit you into all Saturday events.

Registration on the day of the event Saturday, Oct. 9 is $40 and will begin at 3:30 p.m. at the Eola, which is headquarters for all Saturday events.

The run will start at 4:30 p.m. and will last approximately an hour. The run will center around downtown pubs with stops at each participating business for a drink break. So pick out your favorite watering hole and have some friends and family meet you there!

After the run, the party will continue at the Eola beginning at 7 p.m. with DJ Mac, a Floozy contest and more discount drinks.

The Eola is even offering special rates of $69 to at the Eola for the evening or you can pay $99 with your entry fee for your discount on the run and the room. So get all purple dressed up and come participate in the annual Purple Dress Run for a FUNdrasier you may or may not remember!

If anyone would like to inquire further about the Purple Dress Run contact Donna Miller, the director of domestic violence programs, Catholic Charities Inc. P.O. Box 1225 Natchez, MS 39121 or call 601-442-0142.

Joy Moore is an organizer of the Purple Dress Run.