RED DRESS, WRONG MESSAGE? NEW ORLEANS’ ANNUAL RUN HAS THOUSANDS SHOWING UP—BUT NOT EVERYONE IS PAYING IT FORWARD
- Slums Magazine
- Aug 10
- 2 min read
Written by: Greg Lewis
Published on August 10, 2026, 8:55p.m. EST
New Orleans knows how to throw a party—and apparently, there’s no dress code quite like a little red.
On Saturday, August 8, the streets of New Orleans’ French Quarter were flooded with thousands of runners sporting red dresses, tutus, wigs and plenty of personality for the city’s annual Red Dress Run.
According to reporting from WVUE, the colorful tradition is organized by the Hash House Harriers, an international running and social group known for turning a run into something much more festive.
However, beneath all the red fabric, outrageous outfits and party atmosphere is a mission that goes far beyond having a good time: raising money for local nonprofits.
And there’s one important detail participants shouldn’t overlook—the registration fee.
Registration for this year’s event was $70, but organizers say thousands of people attend without registering.
While skipping the fee might seem harmless to someone looking to simply join the festivities, organizers say those unpaid registrations ultimately mean less money going toward the local charities the event is designed to support.
That’s where Cheryl Edwards comes in.
Edwards returned to the Red Dress Run this year surrounded by family and friends, with every member of her crew rocking a red tutu. For Edwards, the event was more than a Saturday outing—it was also a unique way to celebrate turning 50.
Originally from Utah, Edwards told WVUE that New Orleans has given her something she deeply values: community.
Her group reportedly contributed nearly $350 through their registrations, putting their money directly toward the charitable mission behind the event.
According to Edwards, that $70 registration fee is money well spent.
“The money goes to charity,” Edwards told WVUE, emphasizing what she considers the biggest benefit of participating. But for her, the experience is about more than writing a check. It’s about being part of something bigger.
The Red Dress Run brings together people from different backgrounds, all willing to trade their everyday attire for red dresses and tutus while running through one of America’s most recognizable cities and honestly, that might be the beauty of it.
New Orleans has always had a way of turning the unconventional into a celebration. The Red Dress Run fits right into that spirit—part run, part social gathering, part spectacle and, most importantly, a fundraiser with a purpose.
As the crowds continue to grow, organizers are reminding participants that showing up isn’t the same as registering.
You can put on the red dress.
You can hit the streets.
You can take the pictures.
You can join the party.
But if you want your participation to actually contribute to the charitable mission, organizers say you have to register.
As Edwards put it, the fee is relatively small, the experience is memorable, and the impact can go a long way.
For a city built on culture, community and celebration, that’s a pretty New Orleans way to do some good.
Comments