October is breast cancer awareness month, and one local tradition marking the month is coming back to Vicksburg this year.

After taking on a different form the past two years, Riverwalk Casino Hotel’s Bras Across the Bridge is returning to the River City in its ninth year.

“It was really important to Riverwalk that we bring the event back to Vicksburg,” said Steve Reynolds, senior director of marketing at Riverwalk Casino Hotel. “This is where we began our involvement in the campaign for breast cancer awareness and the Vicksburg community has always given great support to this cause.”

The casino is collecting donated bras from Oct. 1 to Oct. 31 and will donate $1 to the American Cancer Society towards breast cancer research for each bra donated.

“It’s something that we’re always excited about every year,” said Tracie Wade, community manager at the American Cancer Society. “It’s a way to really get the community engaged and involved with the fundraising process in a very creative and fun way.”

Reynolds said there isn’t a specific goal for the number of bras they hope to collect.

“The more the better,” Reynolds said. “Since 2008, we have donated $113,753.”

On Nov. 4, the bras will be strung across the Old U.S. 80 Bridge by Riverwalk team members and members of the Vicksburg Bridge Commission. The following day, Nov. 5, there will be a walk across the bridge for breast cancer survivors, community members and anyone interested in seeing the bras over the Mississippi River. Registration is at 8 a.m., and the walk starts at 9 a.m.

The past couple years the annual fundraiser took on a different form and collected bras were strung at the casino for a few days and then transported and hung at the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk in Jackson.

“Our primary focus this year is to bring it back to the bridge,” Reynolds said. “We heard from a lot of people in this community when we stopped doing the bras along the bridge. In reflection, we felt we wanted to bring it back where it started.”

Reynolds said the Vicksburg Bridge Commission was excited to hear the event was coming back to Vicksburg.

“They have been wonderful in working with us and securing the necessary arrangements,” Reynolds said.

The best way for businesses to be involved in the fundraiser, Reynolds said, is to become a bra drop-off location. Reynolds said someone from Riverwalk would collect the bras from every drop-off location at the end of October. In Vicksburg bras can be donated at Riverwalk Casino Hotel, 2000 & Beyond Salon, the Senior Center and Cut Ups Beauty Salon.