Kansas freshmen Meghan Saravanja, Junction City, and Hallie Holton, Seattle, Wash., strike a pose as a small section in the 800 block of Massachusetts Street turned into a makeshift red carpet as Downtown Lawrence Inc.'s Girls Night Downtown set up a photo booth Thursday evening. Donations from the event are going to help the Willow Domestic Violence Center.

Shoppers descended on Massachusetts Street to support The Willow Domestic Violence Center as part of Downtown Lawrence, Inc.’s third annual “Girls Night Downtown” charity event Thursday.

Participants bought tickets to access special discounts at more than 40 downtown businesses. All ticket proceeds will go to the Willow center. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Red balloons of participating businesses dotted the sidewalks, while shoppers swung their red shopping bags filled with goodies. A red-carpet photo shoot was set up outside the Lawrence Antique Mall at 830 Massachusetts St., where additional donations could be made.

“It’s a win-win, it’s a great cause,” said Tatum Bandy of Lawrence. A little over an hour into the event, she said, she had made purchases at three stores and intended to do the same at three more, in order to qualify for raffles at the end of the night.

“It’s a great night out,” she said.