Red Dress Run in New Orleans celebrates 30th anniversary; Comic Con and more highlighting a festive weekend

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - The New Orleans Hash House Harriers are getting ready for the 30th anniversary of the Red Dress Run.

Scheduled for August 10 at Crescent Park, this event is not just a race—it’s a gathering that locals and tourists look forward to each year. Participants wear red dresses and costumes for a day of running, music, food, and fun, all while raising money for New Orleans charities.

The Red Dress Run draws over 3,000 participants yearly and has raised more than $2 million for local causes. Last year, $155,000 in grants went to various community groups.

The event starts at 9 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m.

Recently, a meme on the event’s Facebook page upset many in the LGBTQ+ community. It labeled queer people as “weird” and included altered images of men in women’s clothes, queer public officials, and drag queens. The post was removed quickly, and the page was temporarily frozen.

The Red Dress Run Board of Directors responded, stating, “A former member of the Red Dress Run Board of Directors inadvertently posted a personal message on the event’s Facebook page. That posting in no way reflects the attitudes or opinions of the leadership of this organization. We denounce any and all inflammatory statements or actions against the LGBTQ+ community. We fully support advancing social justice by advocating equality for all. We are also a solely volunteer-managed organization that has not and will not engage in policy or political advocacy of any kind.”

The board clarified that the person responsible for the post is no longer with the organization. They stressed that the event aims to unite people for a good cause.

“Our event is a social gathering meant to bring people of all walks of life together to raise money for those in need. We have raised over $2 million for worthy causes. August 10th is our 30th anniversary run, and we look forward to another successful celebration that will contribute significantly to uniting our community,” the statement concluded.

For more information or to register for the New Orleans Red Dress Run, visit noh3.com. Those unable to attend can support the cause by donating at neworleanshash.com/donation.asp.

Thousands of people are expected to pack the city from dawn to dusk for several other events taking place, and with that, a cascade of colors including red, white, black and gold, will fill the French Quarter.

The city’s calendar is stacked with Dirty Linen Night, New Orleans Comic Con, and the Saints pre-season, which kicks off Saturday at 7 o’clock against the Cardinals in Glendale, Arizona, and airs on Fox 8.

It’s a much-needed boost for businesses and bars like Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop.

“This is where people usually begin and end their night. Summer’s been very slow for us because of the heat but this is what we look forward to every year,” said Shelly White. “It’s so busy. You cannot move in the streets. It’s really hot. The daiquiri machines are trying to keep up.”

Lafitte’s will be projecting the Saints’ game on a white wall across the street as people come and go.

Fleurty Girl owner Lauren Haydel, whose business has been around for 15 years, said it’s been a slow start when it comes to selling Saints merchandise.

“I think everybody is struggling with the economy these days,” said Haydel. “There’s a little uncertainty there with the team this year. How good are we going to do?”

However, Haydel said good or bad, Saints fans are loyal.

“You need to deck out, look good and cheer on those boys in black and gold,” Haydel said.

Fleurty Girl is leaning into the Superdome’s clear bag policy and really playing up their staple gold items because it can be worn for Saints, LSU, and Mardi Gras.

When it comes to new designs, they are tuned into trends.

“We kind of feel the climate and what’s popular around the team and really have fun with it,” Haydel said.

One example includes Taylor Swift inspired game day merchandise.

“Taylor wore this shirt during Covid. Not a lot going on at the moment and during football season there’s a lot going on at the moment,” Haydel said.

There’s a lot going on in the city this weekend, no doubt.

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