The annual "Running of the Brides" at Boston's own Filene's Basement is taking place this Friday, February 18 at 8 a.m. For those of you not familiar with this psycho-shopper event, people line up at 4 a.m. to get in line to have a chance to grab a designer wedding gown at a budget price. The 1,500 dresses range in value from $800-$9,000 but brides-to-be can get them for $249-$699. Gaggles of brides and their support groups snatch any dress they can and then the trying on begins. These women are on a mission so get ready to claw, scratch and elbow your way to that Vera Wang. The racks clear in 60 seconds so if you don't lineup early enough, you won't even see an empty hanger when you get into the store. Local hotels even feature a special package deal for this yearly happening. The Basement has been an institution at the intersection of Summer and Washington Street since 1908 and according to their website, it is the second most popular tourist attraction in the city. Has any Bostonist reader actually experienced this this bridal ultimate fighter day?

Photo courtesy of Courtney Deveau/Boston.com