Victoria McKenzie/ Winonan

Sigma Tau Gamma, a Winona State University fraternity, is hosting Winona’s first UV Splash on April 17, from 6:30 to 10 p.m.

Cody Bristow, the vice president of programs for Sigma Tau Gamma, said, “It is a 5k walk/run where people will go through an allotted course and get sprayed with UV paint under the stars and the glow of black light,”

Color Dash, the company putting on the event, is a for-profit company that gives half of their profit to charity.  Sigma Tau Gamma decided to donate the proceeds from the event to the Winona Food Shelf.

Bristow said the fraternity is opening up the event to the community.

“Since the race is not competitive and is a walk/run, anyone is welcome. We are pushing for community involvement,” Bristow said.

Bristow said he suggests wearing nothing of value due to paint stains but said wearing white and neon colors would be fun under the black light.

Before the race there will be giveaways, and following the race there will be an indie rock concert.

Bristow said this event offers a unique opportunity to the Winona Community.

“It is like nothing Winona has ever seen before,” Bristow said. “There have been color dash events here before, but never a UV splash like this. It will be an event that people never forget.”

Bristow said the paint is completely biodegradable and safe but said members will be staying after the event to clean up the area so no traces are left behind to affect wildlife.

The event will be at Prairie Island, a Kiwanis shelter partially in Winona and Minnesota City. Buses will be provided from Winona State to the event.

“We have done some community service projects there over the last year to help out the Fish and Wildlife Services,” Bristow said.

The costs of tickets are $40 for individuals and $35 for each individual if in a group. There are discounted prices for families of three to six, and children under five years old get in for free.

Tickets can be bought online on the Color Dash site by clicking on “locations” and then “Winona.”  There is also a direct link to the location page on the UV Splash Facebook page.