Girls Night Out will fill downtown Centralia with shoppers on Saturday, Oct. 1.
About 30 businesses are set to participate in the semi-annual event designed to draw both locals and out-of-town shoppers to stores and restaurants along the Tower Avenue corridor. Participating businesses offer special merchandise, sales and prizes during the event.
“Women contact us from Olympia to Vancouver to find out when the event is taking place so they can make plans to attend,” said Sandi Walczyk, owner of The Bath Depot and a member of the organizing team for Girls Night Out.
Walczyk said the Girls Night Out goodie bag, available to the first 200 shoppers, is a big draw, though most shoppers come for the camaraderie and to find out what is new and exciting in historic downtown Centralia.
Beyond attracting shoppers to downtown Centralia, Girls Night Out supports Hope Alliance’s effort to aid Lewis County domestic violence and sexual assault survivors. A portion of the event’s ticket sales go to support the Hope Alliance’s vision of a life without violence for everyone.
“Not only does the event contribute funds to support our efforts, but it is also a great way to share Hope Alliance’s work and mission with our community,” said MacKenzie Kellye, The Hope Alliance board president.
Hope Alliance volunteers will staff the starting point for Girls Night Out, the Station Coffee Bar and Bistro at 120 S. Tower Ave. Participant entry is $5 to be paid at The Station starting point at 11 a.m. No pre-sales are available before that time.
Participants can enter the drawing for each of the participating businesses to win prize baskets. The more businesses a participant visits, the better their chance of winning.
The event runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and participating businesses will be marked with bouquets of pink, black and silver balloons. There is also a limousine to help participants glamorously navigate the route.
For more information about Girls Night Out, check out the event’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/DowntownCentraliaGirlsNightOut or call Sandi Walczyk at 360-736-4333. For more information on the Hope Alliance, call 360-748-6601 or visit their website at www.hopealliancelc.org.
