PORT TOWNSEND — The 12th Girls’ Night Out on Thursday will add health and wellness activities to the annual shopping event.
“This is something that we all look forward to,” said Mari Mullen, Main Street executive director.
“It gives us a chance to connect customers with merchants prior to the holiday season and get them to learn about what our wonderful local retailers have to offer.”
The event takes place from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. in 32 stores in downtown and uptown Port Townsend, offering special discounts and in-store promotions for anyone who has paid $10.
Sponsor Jefferson Health Care will take over an empty storefront at 213 Taylor St., providing information about breast cancer screening and discussing its new 3-D mammogram technology.
“We want to bring awareness about breast cancer and cervical cancer screening,” Mullen said.
“Cancer is preventable, treatable and survivable, and we have treatment resources right here in our county.”
Main Street has assembled 500 “goodie bags” that are stuffed with items such as socks and compacts as well as coupons and promotions.
The goodie bags cost $10 and are available at all participating merchants.
“We want people to come down on Thursday and make a day of it,” Mullen said.
The event is usually attended by 400 to 500 women each year, Mullen said, with the goodie bags usually selling out or coming close to doing so.
The shopping spree will be preceded by “The Tiara Trot,” a 1.46-mile fun run/walk routed eastbound on Water Street around Point Hudson Marina and back via Washington Street.
Participants will meet at 7 a.m. at 213 Taylor St., with each receiving a tiara as supplies last.
At the finish line, participants will be treated to refreshments prepared by Jefferson Healthcare chef Arran Stark.
“Beautiful, Healthy You” raffle tickets will be on sale in advance for $5 at many participating stores, with a bag of prizes worth $700 that includes a one-month membership to the Port Townsend Athletic Club and two haircuts at Seasons Hair.
Proceeds from raffle sales and goodie bag purchases will benefit Jefferson Healthcare Foundation to help provide breast and cervical cancer screenings, care and treatment for low-income Jefferson County residents and the Port Townsend Main Street Program.
The evening will end with an 8 p.m. wrap party at the Belmont Restaurant, 925 Water St., with a no-host bar, appetizers, dessert and door prizes.
For more information, go to www.ptmainstreet.org or call 360-379-3911.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
