Ugly sweaters will fill the streets of Spencer 9 a.m. Saturday in the first Ugly Sweater 5K Run/Walk starting at the Front Porch restaurant on Church Street. (Photo by Candice Black)

SPENCER — Runners and walkers wearing the ugliest Christmas sweaters will highlight Spencer’s first Ugly Sweater 5K Run/Walk at 9 a.m. Saturday starting at the Front Porch restaurant.

The event was designed by Anna Errikson, who wanted to bring another 5K race to Spencer.

“We just wanted a healthy event for our community. It’s just something for people to get out of the house,” Errikson said.

All proceeds from the race will go to Patch 21st Century, a program serving 2,000 students in Roane, Jackson and Mason counties.

“Patch successfully administers several different grants that focus on character education, tobacco, drug and alcohol prevention, civic duty and service learning, watershed and clean water awareness, entrepreneurial job skills and leadership,” its website said.

According to Errikson, Roane County teachers will choose students in need who will receive clothes, shoes and similar items for Christmas.

“(They) may get some toys but it’s mostly for kids to get warm clothes for the winter,” she said.

High school students involved with the Patch program will do the shopping for the kids.

“We are hoping to raise around $500,” Anna Errikson said.

So far, 80 applicants are signed up to participate.

Anna’s brother Ryan Errikson is the owner of the Front Porch, which will host the event.

“(We) wanted to give back to the community and our menu supports a healthy lifestyle, we offer salads and other foods to promote active lifestyles,” Ryan said.

The event will include a 5K, a half mile walk and races for kids of different age groups.There will be a toddler trot along with races for elementary and middle school aged kids. High school students will be a part of the 5K, Anna said.

After the races, a free groove class will take place at The Front Porch. Groove, similar to Zumba, is an active dance exercise.

Santa will also be around take pictures with the kids.

Ryan Errikson said excitement is building in the community.

“People are definitely excited, everyone is excited for the event and just happy that we’re putting it on, people like what we’re trying to do,” he said. “People are happy that we’re doing something like this in Spencer.”

Registration for the 5K is $20 and the half mile walk along with the kids races are $10. Applications are available at the Front Porch at 215 Church St. in Spencer. The Front Porch Facebook page can be contacted for an email version of the application that can be dropped off at the restaurant.