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NATCHEZ — The Alzheimer’s Association invites people from Natchez and beyond to go purple for a two-day fundraising event to bring Alzheimer’s resources to the community.

The first event is a free-to-attend luminary presentation with vendors and live music performances by Cha Cha Boo on Friday, Sept. 20, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Luminary bags can be purchased in honor of a friend or loved one for just $5 to support global Alzheimer’s and dementia research. There will also be a limited number of picnic blankets and towels available to purchase with all proceeds benefiting the association’s efforts to educate and find a cure.

“This night is going to be a beautiful time for us to shine our light against the darkness of Alzheimer’s,” said Adina Welker, who manages the Mississippi Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. “If you’re able to come join us, please do.”

A community walk event follows starting at 9 a.m. this Saturday, Sept. 21, on the Natchez Bluff.

Event registration begins at 8:15 a.m. on Sept. 21 at the Natchez Bluff Bandstand.

There are also vendor spots available for $50 each day.

Restora Hunt-Wilson, from Roxie, said she walks in memory of her mother Lucille Smith, who was diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2015.

“We saw her go through several stages of it and it was pretty rough,” she said. “We started having walks ourselves to raise funds and awareness. Anything we can do to help.”

Smith died last year in Sept., but that will not stop Wilson from continuing to spread awareness for others going through the same struggles she had.

“It’s a little more personal to us this year,” she said. “My only advice to others is to take advantage of all the resources and make as many memories as you can. I do have pictures and videos of my mother but I didn’t document as much as I could have. I’d love to see more people come out and be supportive of it.”

As always, Alzheimer’s and dementia resources will be available at each event at no cost, Welker said. Those who come can receive information themselves or request information to be brought to their church, school, job or whatever organization they represent.

“While it is a fundraising event, it is also a community event and it’s about coming together and having fun,” she said. “Everything we do is free for the public to attend and we encourage anyone to come. Donations are encouraged because all resources and all the things we do are always at no cost. The reason we’re able to do that is because of fundraisers.”

Welker said the first event in 2023 was simply a walk, but she quickly learned Natchez had the potential to do more.

“It has a great potential to be a fun, free joyful community celebration,” she said. “I think this weekend is going to be great and I’m excited to see what the Natchez community can do. The reason is broken out into two different events is in hopes that between the two, we’ll be able to expand the reach, involve more people and let more people in the Natchez area know there is help available.”

To make a donation, visit http://act.alz.org/goto/BluffingAlzheimersNatchezTeam

“Everyone can play a part in finding a cure,” Welker said.