Registration is now open for the Beauregard Christian Women’s Job Corps’ 17th annual Beauregard Watermelon Festival 5K Run / Walk being held on June 25.

The event will begin at 7 a.m. in downtown DeRidder, a new location from previous events.

This year, racers will begin their run or walk at the flag plaza at 205 S. Washington Street just in front of City Hall and across from the Beauregard Parish Library. The race will end at the same location.

The cost to participate is $25 per person, or $30 if registering the morning of the race. Families of up to six members can register together for $100, and $10 for each additional family member. Teams of ten or more can register for $10 per person.

At the end of the race, trophies will be presented to the fastest male and female racers in multiple age categories including under 11 and over 65.

All proceeds from the event will be used to fund programs offered by the BCWJC to help provide local women  in need with the opportunity to gain a high school equivalency education, job skills and life skills to equip them for employment and to assist in their spiritual and emotional growth.

The classes are offered completely free to the women who enroll at BCWJC, and director Peggy Renfrow said fundraisers like the Watermelon Festival 5K make all the difference in keeping the nonprofit organization’s doors open.

“The proceeds from this event and from sponsors are used to fund our operating expenses and allow us to keep the programs free for the women who need them,” Renfrow stated.

Registration forms can be obtained online at www.beauregardwatermelonfestival.com or by calling the BCWJC at 337-463-4451.

The event is held in conjunction with the Beauregard Parish Watermelon Festival that will be held June 23 – 25 at the Beauregard Parish Fairgrounds.