Domestic Violence Prevention Inc. is gearing up for the inaugural Color Fest, an arts festival, Color Fun Run and art auction Nov. 5 in downtown Texarkana, Front Street Festival Plaza.
It's the organization's major fundraiser for the year.
"Everyone is trying to get Texarkana's art scene up and going, so we thought this was a need for the community and a good idea to raise money for the agency," said Trista Pennock, development director for DVP.
The Color Fun Run will kick off the event at 8 a.m. Registration begins at 7 a.m. The entry fee is $40 for the race kit, which includes a T-shirt, sunglasses, bandana, temporary tattoos and an individual color powder packet. Without the race kit, registration is $25. Register online at dvpcolorfest.com.
Free registration for law enforcement officers is available. The art festival begins at 9 a.m.
There will also be a short story and poetry contest for ages 14 and up and an art contest for ages 10 through 18. There is no entry fee for the art contest . Entry fee for the poetry contest is $5 per poem with a limit of three and $10 per short story entry with a limit of three. Submissions are due by Nov. 1, and entry forms can be downloaded from dvpcolorfest.com. Winners will be announced at the event.
The Moss Brothers Band will headline the event and will hit the stage at 2 p.m.
"We've got lots of food vendors and arts-and-crafts vendors," Pennock said. "It's an opportunity for people to get out, learn more about the arts and see what Texarkana has to offer in the arts community, and because it's our major fundraiser, it's going to help keep domestic violence services going in this community."
The art auction will start online a week before the event. Bidding will continue throughout the event and close at 5 p.m.
Admission cost for the festival is $5 for ages 13 and up and $2 for ages 5 to 12. Kids under 5 get in free. A family gate pass is available for families of five or more for $15. Proceeds benefit the programs of Domestic Violence Prevention, including its family shelter.
"I'd like for people to know that Domestic Violence Prevention is the only provider of these domestic violence and sexual assault services in this area and we're one of a dwindling number of safe houses in Northeast Texas and Southwest Arkansas," said Pam Dennington, executive director of DVP. "Supporting this event is important for the stability of our local agency. This is money we operate off of."
For more information about the event, call DVP at 903-794-4000 or stop by the office at 424 Spruce St., Texarkana, Texas.