Every year, on the second Saturday of August, the streets of New Orleans’ French Quarter are filled with red. Red dresses to be exact. Thousands gather for the annual Red Dress Run, which supports many charities in the New Orleans area by encouraging runners (and wobblers) to register for this completely fun and over-the-top event.
This past weekend, I was fortunate enough to be invited to New Orleans by the New Orleans Hotel Collection. On our agenda, was a morning breakfast in the St. Joseph’s room of the Bourbon Orleans Hotel, followed by some intense people-watching during the Red Dress Run. The Red Dress Run was created 25 years ago, in California, by the world’s largest running group. The Hash House Harriers created the event to support local charities in the San Diego area, but over the years, the event has spread all over the globe, including New Orleans.
As we ate our fruit, grits, eggs and gumbo, we were mesmerized by the costumes that passed by. The rule of the Red Dress Run is “you gotta wear red, and it’s gotta be a dress.” Women and men follow the rule to a tee, while others decide to take it to the next level by adding red wigs, tutus and even ball gowns to the mix. There were even some brave enough to paint outfits on themselves, which may have seem like a bad idea in the humid, 90 degree weather, but it actually was genius.
New Orleans natives see this event as an off-season “locals” extravaganza, but most commented that this year, the turnout was overwhelmingly fun. Tourists seem to be getting wind of the event, entering the race and proudly sporting their red dresses for charity, which can only be a great thing for all in the end.
The best part of the Red Dress Run was the residual pops of color that we saw throughout the day and even into the night. Some sported their outfits and costumes way into the evening, even during Dirty Linen night, another local event.
While some may be deterred by the heat of The Crescent City in August, this weekend seems to be a great time to visit New Orleans and get a taste of why natives love their hometown and why they were adamant about returning after Katrina. NOLA is back, and in August, it’s proudly painted red.
That looks like some serious fun!!
It really was! I can’t wait to write a few more posts on my trip. It’s such a great city, and not as expensive as I thought.
It looks like you guys had fun; I want to go to New Orleans someday! I hope that whenever I do, my trip falls around this date so that I can partake in the events 🙂
I hope so too! Plane tickets were surprisingly low for this time of year, and the NOLA collection hotels had reasonable pricing for rooms. I hope you can get there soon!
Unfortunately it won’t be so soon at all. I am currently going to be a sophomore in college so I don’t really have any money these days. I could save and go, but I don’t want to go and not be fully “prepared”.
Actually, college is the perfect time for you to go! Keep a look out for some upcoming posts where I show where to go and how to save on a trip to New Orleans :).
This city is on our list to take our son, please share more!
Mitch
Oh I will, Mitch! I’m going to talk about the 2 hotels I stayed in (and how one was haunted), and the great meals and shops we frequented. Oh, and the beignets! So, stay tuned.
wow this looks like you had a great time, I would have been there~!
I love when marathons or charities like this make it fun for those participating. It’s quite cool how enthusiastic people are in these events. I love all that red! And especially for such important causes too!
This looks like a total blast! I love these kinds of events because everyone always seems so excited to be part of it!
It’s so great seeing such fun events for charities. I’d love to visit New Orleans.
VERY COOL! I love New Orleans! What a blast!
it was quite the event! all day event! lol