The Walk to End Alzheimer's is set to take place in El Dorado on Saturday, with activities centered around the South Arkansas Community College campus.
The event went fully virtual in 2020 but is returning with in-person activities this year for all who wish to participate.
Lori Green, who serves as walk manager for the Arkansas chapter of Alzheimer's Association, said the walk area will open at 8 a.m. outside SouthArk on Saturday and the opening ceremony will be held at 9 a.m.
According to Green, the route this year will travel from SouthArk through downtown El Dorado.
"The route is just under two miles through downtown. We will be walking on sidewalks and crosswalks; it's a very family friendly route," Green said.
Green said for the organization will encourage social distancing with measures including keeping the route open until 10:30 p.m.
The Promise Garden, which allows participants to place a pinwheel flower marking their connection to Alzheimer's disease, will return as the central feature of the opening ceremony this year.
Green said an option to participate in the walk virtually -- which Alzheimer's Association calls "Walk from Home" -- is still available this year through the Walk to End Alzheimer's mobile app.
This option, she said, is valuable both for those who wish to take extra precautions and for people who want to interact with out-of-town family or friends also participating.
"We want people to know that they can walk anywhere in the community that they choose and that they can engage with us through that walk app. It's a free app; there's even an augmented reality Promise Garden where they can choose a flower and plant it... I have family members who are walking with me from out of state. We will be able to meet in the app and interact. There are a lot of new things in the app this year that allow people to engage and interact," Green said.
Green went on to say that she has heard from many participants who are glad to be participating in person again this year.
"I will say that we're super excited to be back in person this year. I've been hearing from most of the walkers that they are ready and know we've done work to make sure the environment will be a safe one, being outside and providing social distancing," Green said.
She also praised volunteers for helping make the event possible.
"I think that it's important to add that this walk happens because of volunteers. Our chapter is involved in advancing research and public policy, but our daily thing is reaching into communities and helping people connect with resources. This year's walk chair is Rufus Woods IV. Rufus is a caregiver for his grandfather who lives in El Dorado, and it's people like him and members of our planning committee who make this possible," Green said.
Held annually in more than 600 communities nationwide, the Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer's is the world's largest fundraiser for Alzheimer's care, support and research, according to the organization's website.
"All funds raised through the walk further the care, support and research efforts of the Association. Some of those things specifically are our 24/7 health line, a number anyone can call who has questions about Alzheimer's... We also offer workshops and classes on topics around dementia and Alzheimer's as well as support groups in communities across the state," Green said.
Participants are asked to pre-register at act.alz.org, although Green said QR codes will be made available on-site on the day of the walk to help people navigate to registration.
Green said anyone who wishes to volunteer with Alzheimer's Association can do so on the organization's website or by reaching out to her directly.