Tulare and Kings County residents are invited to participate in the Alzheimer's Association's Walk to End Alzheimer's on Saturday, October 1, at Mooney Grove Park in Visalia.

This year's walk date was confirmed much earlier than in recent years, when the pandemic created uncertainty, as well as other challenges.

"The last couple of years have helped us handle whatever the pandemic looks like this fall," said Amanda Valenzuela, development manager of the Alzheimer's Association's California Southland Chapter. She added that adjusting to changes has become "a fluid process."

The annual Alzheimer's Association Walk is preceded by a series of kickoff events, including a "Paint It Purple" pre-game event at the Visalia Rawhide game on Wednesday, June 15, to bring attention to the disease and publicize the walk. The event also serves as a way for the local Alzheimer's Association chapter to raise funds.

A portion of the evening's ticket sales go to the Alzheimer's Association and, with a donation, people can customize pinwheel flowers to honor a friend or family member who has been a victim of the disease. As part of the event, "Paint and Sip Purple," an opportunity to sip wine and paint, begins at 5 p.m.

Valenzuela credited Sherrie Wallace, chair of the walk, with developing a partnership with the Visalia Rawhide organization.

"The Walk to End Alzheimer's is a cause that is near and dear to many of us on the Rawhide staff, and we are honored to have the opportunity to play a part in the fight against this insidious disease," said Markus Hagglund, Visalia Rawhide assistant general manager. "We hope fans will come out to support the Alzheimer's Association so that the disease may one day be forgotten."

People are encouraged to sign up as team captains, join a team or register to walk as an individual at http://www.alz.org/walk.

For more information, visit alz.org/walk or call (661) 437-8148.