The Blueberry 5K Run and 1M Walk will take place on Sat., June 18, in conjunction with the 36th annual Blueberry Festival. The event begins at the O’Bannon Park and ends at Jennings/Burnt Corn Park in downtown Brewton.

The event has been organized in memory of Matthew Billy, the son of Beth and Steve Billy, who died after a battle with leukemia in 2001.

Proceeds from the 5K registrations and sponsorships are made to the JDCC Foundation, and in turn, are dispersed as scholarships through for the Matthew Hutton Billy Memorial Scholarship Fund. The scholarship will be awarded to eligible students who are dually enrolled in Jefferson Davis Community College and the Huntingdon College Bachelor of Business Management Degree Brewton in Brewton. The scholarship was established in 2001 and has disbursed scholarships to over 35 students.

The cost to participate in the 5k/1M event is $20 for adults ages 14 and up, $10 for youth 13 and under, and $40 for a family of five. Advance registration is encouraged by visiting the following website www.active.com.

Also, participants may register before the event in person at the JDCC Business office or the Brewton Chamber of Commerce office. Early packet pick-up will take place on Friday, June 17 from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. at the chamber of commerce tent at Jennings/Burnt Corn Park and beginning at 6:30 a.m. on race day at the O’Bannon Park Pavilion. Registration before May 16 guarantees a race shirt. The event will begin at 7 a.m. at O’Bannon Park, where parking is available. All participants must sign a waiver at registration. Minors must have a parent or guardian sign. Donations from non-participants are also welcome. This competitive 5K is timed and medals will be awarded in each age group.

Sponsors to date include the following: BankcorpSouth Insurance Services, Inc., David’s Catfish, Chautauqua Vineyards and Winery, Crowne Management, D.W. McMillan Trust, Grede, James Eric Coale PC, James and Stephanie Walker, Nalty Seasonings, NDI, Pre-Trial Diversion Office of the Escambia County District Attorney, Shamrock Properties (Mobile, AL-Libby Thompson), Trustmark, Wendy Folmar Insurance Agency and Williams Memorial Chapel. Other donations include: Brewton Broadcasting WEBJ, Creamer Dozer Service, English Realty, Lisa McMillan, and Stokes and Stokes PC.

Information on the 5K is available by calling 251-809-1553 or visit the Blueberry Festival’s Facebook page.