New Orleans Red Dress Run!

It was last month, in the seeping heat of August: New Orleans Red Dress Run. An annual event organized to gather funds for charities. It's fair to suspect that they don't only run, of course. Truthfully many don't run at all, but join the party in the French Quarter. It's yet another occasion for Bourbon Street to get filled with party-goers, but this time, all of them in red dresses!

Bourbon Street

How did Red Dress Run start? 

The Hash House Harriers are the biggest running club in the world. Their first red dress run happened nearly by accident: On August 7, 1987, a young lady wearing a red dress is arriving in southern California to visit a high school friend. She ends up shortly after in Long Beach, where her friend intends to introduce her to this zany running group called the Hash House Harriers. One member, noting her gender and attire, urged that she “just wait in the truck” until her host returned. With that goading, she ran into history sporting her red dress and heels. 

One year later, to commemorate the event, the San Diego Hash House Harriers sent “The Lady In Red” an airline ticket to attend the inaugural Red Dress Run. Hundreds of male and female hashers adorned themselves in red dresses for a spectacle widely covered by California newspapers and TV news. In addressing the crowd, The Lady In Red suggested that Hash House Harriers hold the Red Dress Run annually as an occasion be used to raise funds for local charities.

This tradition quickly spread to every corner of the globe. The New Orleans Hash House Harriers attracted 7,000 participants to their Red Dress Run in 2010, raising more than $200,000 for local charities.

Our group of cheerful chaps joined the crowd late in the morning. French quarter bars, sidewalks, and streets are packed. It's very hot, and very humid, and everybody starts dripping sweat very quickly, even without running. People, young and old, drink and dance inside and out. For those who know, this could compare to the southwestern France Feria. By the late afternoon we all are worn out, a good nap is a must, in order to make it to round 2 later that evening. Most friends in our group are staying in hotel rooms to not have to drive back to Baton Rouge. I now have my "second home" on site, even better... I ended up napping until the next morning. Verdict: partying is getting harder and harder these days...