Coincides with first tree layaway day

ANDIS — Support a worthy cause and pick out your Christmas tree at the same time.

That is the goal of the inaugural Dickess Memorial Scholarship Run at Dickess Tree Farm.

The 10K and 5K run/walk on Nov. 5 will benefit Dawson-Bryant High School track and cross country athletes by setting up a scholarship fund.

“Tuition is so high,” said tree farm owner Keith Dickess about the cost of college. “The (scholarship) would at least help pay for a child’s books.”

The fund is being started from scratch, but Dickess hopes it will grow each year.

The run is also a way to memorialize his mother, Donna G. Dickess, who made wreaths at the farm for more than 30 years. The T-shirts for the race will have a Christmas wreath pictured and Donna’s name to honor her.

There will be trophies awarded to the top three male and female runners in each age group.

Pets are allowed and there will be awards for the cutest dog/owner couple and fastest dog/owner couple. There will also be a children’s fun run for children 12 and under.

The VFW Post 8850 will be there to provide food for a donation to its children’s Christmas party fund. There will also be inflatables and hayrides.

The race day also coincides with the tree farm’s opening day for layaways. After the race, the tree farm will open up for people to pick out their trees for the holiday season.

Dickess said he will give out coupons for wreaths and trees and part of that day’s proceeds will also go towards the scholarship fund.

The race starts at 9 a.m. Pre-registration is $20 and $25 the day of the race. Registration forms can be downloaded at www.tristateracer.com

Mail registration forms to Dickess Memorial Scholarship Run, C/O Keith Dickess, 2888 County Road 61 Kitts Hill, OH 45645.