Women are invited to dress up in their polka-dotted best and head downtown on Thursday, Oct. 6 for a day and a night of female camaraderie, shopping and fun at the annual Port Townsend Main Street Program's Girls' Night Out, this year with the theme “Connect the Dots at Girls’ Night Out.” New this year, the PTeRider circulates throughout the evening to transport customers around town for free.

FUN RUN, SHOPPING

The day kicks off with the Polka Dot Tiara Trot. To join in the free fun run, meet at the Cotton Building on Water and Madison streets to register for the 1.47-mile walk/jog/run, scheduled to start at 7 a.m. The first 100 participants get a free fun run T-shirt from Jefferson Healthcare. Treats after the fun run are provided by Arran Stark of Jefferson Healthcare.

From 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., dozens of participating businesses are offering special events. Dozens of businesses participating in Girls’ Night Out offer special events, in-store discount promotions and refreshments, including root-beer float samples at Elevated Ice Cream Co., a jewelry trunk show at Key City Public Theatre, a baking demo from Troubadour Baking at Getables, wine tastings at the Wine Seller, specials on pink drinks at the Boiler Room, votive candle giveaways at the Green Eyeshade, live music and specials at Tickled Pink, free fudge samples at Port Townsend Fudge, shoe sales, trunk shows and much more.

Jefferson Healthcare’s Girls’ Night Out headquarters are to be at the Cotton Building this year, open from 4 to 8 p.m. and offering a photo booth, goodie bags, a photography exhibit by Deja View Photography and refreshments.

GOODIE BAGS

Goodie bags are available for sale at various locations downtown, including the headquarters, 1st Security Bank, About Time Clothing, Bickie's Cotton Casual, the Clothes Horse, Coldwell Banker Best Homes, Getables, Port Townsend Fudge Company, Tickled Pink and Wandering Angus.

Goodie bags, $10, include Ozone socks from the Clothes Horse, scarves from Tickled Pink, earrings from About Time, “Take Ten Drawing” tickets, coupon books and small gifts. The Take Ten drawing makes customers eligible for special drawings for gift baskets, certificates and prizes in the participating stores that day. Look for “Take Ten” signs.

“The goodie bags have turned out to be extra special this year and have a $30- to $40-plus value,” said Mari Mullen, executive director of the Port Townsend Main Street Program. “Main Street invites customers to increase their karma and consider donating an extra $5, which will go towards the event fundraising goal.”

WRAP AND RAFFLE

The evening ends with the popular wrap party at 8 p.m. at the Belmont, 925 Water St., with a no-host bar, appetizers, dessert and door prizes. Entrance is by a $10 suggested donation at the door.

“Connect the Dots” raffle tickets are to be on sale in advance for $5 at participating merchants for a prize package valued at more than $700. Prizes include: an overnight stay for two at the Resort at Port Ludlow, which includes 18 holes of golf, and kayak or standup paddleboard rentals; a Deja View Photography studio session and print; a Glow Natural Skin Care gift certificate; a Soak on the Sound gift certificate; pampering gifts; and more.

Proceeds benefit Jefferson Healthcare Foundation to help provide breast and cervical cancer screenings, care and treatment for low-income Jefferson County residents; and the Port Townsend Main Street Program, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

To date, Port Townsend Main Street’s Girls’ Night Out event has raised $33,000 to assist women in need to receive cancer screenings. This event is sponsored by the Port Townsend Main Street Program, Jefferson Healthcare, Ozone Socks and generous participating businesses.

To see the full list of participating businesses, go online to

ptmainstreet.org.

Girls’ Night Out is an award-winning promotion coordinated by the Port Townsend Main Street Program’s Promotion Committee.