ELYSBURG - The 2011 Relay For Life of Southern Columbia Area kicks off today.
The relay will be held at the All Home Days Grounds, off Center Street in Elysburg, and will start at 4 p.m. It was moved from Tiger Stadium due to track construction.
The theme "On the Boardwalk" allows cancer survivors, caregivers and guests a chance to visit relaxing and entertaining places throughout the event grounds as they participate in the 24-hour event, which is held to raise awareness of cancer, and raise funds for its treatment.
At 6:30 p.m., Sue Bower, a physical education teacher at G. C. Hartman Elementary School, who fought through liposarcoma, will speak as honorary chairperson. Bower underwent treatment at the same time her husband battled esophageal cancer. He passed away in April 2007. Bower credits her two children for helping her through that difficult time.
An emotional luminaria service will begin at 9 p.m. at the stage. Luminarias marked with the names of those remembered will be positioned around the inside of the stage and will become the only light source in the grounds when all others are turned off. They can be sponsored for a donation at the Cub Scout stand.
The Relay concludes Saturday at 4 p.m. with a closing ceremony.
Schedule of events
Friday
- 4 p.m.: Opening lap.
- 4:30 p.m.: Elysburg Alliance Church Music Team performs.
- 4:30 p.m.: Survivor dinner.
- 6 p.m.: Opening ceremony.
- 6:30 p.m.: Honorary survivor, Sue Bower remarks.
- 7 p.m.: Ethan and Dan Acoustic Duo performs.
- 9 p.m.: Luminaria service with music by Elysburg Presbyterian Church Gospel Group.
- 10 p.m.: Kinsey performs.
Saturday
- 6 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.: Breakfast by RCV Grange
- 8 a.m.: Zumba for a Cure by Shelbie Gilbert
- 10 a.m.: Kids Penny Walk.
- 11:45 a.m.: Fight Back ceremony.
- 4 p.m.: Closing ceremony.
Activities throughout both days include a sand castle contest, potato golf, a pie eating contest and frozen beach towel contest. A variety of foods and raffles will be present throughout the grounds.