For Immediate Release:
June 2, 2016

"BLING THE BRA CHALLENGE" FOR THE BODACIOUS BRA BRUNCH FUNDRAISER NOW UNDERWAY FOR FESTIGALS 2016

Teams begin creating Bra-ART to support Breastoration & the Cancer Association of Greater NO

(New Orleans, La.) - Women in the Greater New Orleans area are now teaming up to compete in the annual Bodacious Bras Challenge, FestiGals signature fundraiser where girlfriends, family members and office associates join together to transform ordinary bras into stylish, blinged-out, custom-designed works of art. The unique and creative bra designs only play a part in this challenge; the real significance comes from the online fundraising efforts of each team.

The FestiGals Bodacious Bras for a Cause event has already raised more than $95,000 to support women with cancer. Registration for the fashionable art crowd-funding efforts is now underway, and anyone interested in creating a bra for the Bodacious Bras Challenge should register as a Bra Artist online at www.FestiGals.org by 1 p.m. on Wednesday, June 15, 2016. The Bodacious Bras Challenge is one of the top attractions of the nationally-attended, nonprofit FestiGals weekend event.

Once registered, Bra Artists will receive a confirmation email which contains the link to a personal fundraising page where each team should post pictures of the decorated bra and a personal story detailing why the team decided to participate in the 2016 Bodacious Bras Challenge. Through the personal fundraising page, each team will garner donations for their unique Bra-ART by sharing its story and pictures with family and friends. The online fundraising competition for the Bodacious Bras Challenge ends on Monday, July 11, 2016.

The top three revenue-producing bras will be featured in a live auction at the "Bodacious Bras for a Cause Brunch" on Saturday, July 30, 2016 from 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. The bra creation that raises the most money from the online challenge and the live auction will receive the Golden Brassiere Award. All proceeds from the Bodacious Bras online challenge and live auction will benefit the Cancer Association of Greater New Orleans (CAGNO) and Breastoration, Inc. CAGNO is an organization that helps cancer patients meet the high costs of medical treatment and prescriptions, and Breastoration offers financial help for women seeking breast reconstruction following a battle with breast cancer.

FestiGals has a limited number of complimentary bras available thanks to a generous donation from Stein Mart. Any individual or team in need of a bra to decorate should contact Michelle Linton at michelle@festigals.org or call (504) 524-1227.

FestiGals is a unique celebration of women and New Orleans. Now in its sixth year and attracting women from across the country, FestiGals Girlfriend Weekend Getaway is New Orleans first and only women's event of its kind in which women from all backgrounds are inspired and empowered in a festive environment including New Orleans largest women's second line parades. Founded in 2011 and produced by Diane B. Lyons and ACCENT- DMC, FestiGals, Inc. has collectively raised more than $95,000 through the highly acclaimed Bodacious Bras for a Cause Luncheon & Auction (now a brunch event) and the Bodacious Bras Challenge which benefit the Cancer Association of Greater New Orleans and Breastoration, Inc. Endorsed by the New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation, the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau and the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce, FestiGals annually attracts more than 2,200 women from around the U.S. and Greater New Orleans area to the summer event. FestiGals 2016 is slated for July 28 - 30 at the JW Marriott on Canal Street.

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MEDIA CONTACT
Diane Lyons | 504.524.1227 | diane@festigals.org
Steve Schulkens | 504.401.6990 | steve@schulkens.com