Relay for Life to be held Saturday at Veterans Park in Berkeley

The Relay for Life at Veterans Park in Berkeley will be an 18 hour fun-filled, but serious event that begins Saturday at 12:30 p.m. and runs until 6 a.m. Sunday morning. 

The relay celebrates the lives of those who have battled cancer, provides an opportunity to remember loved ones who have died, and raises money for The American Cancer Society.

"Cancer never sleeps, so we don't sleep," said event coordinator Bradley Bennett, explaining why it runs through the night. 

"We'd love for people to come out," he said.  

Cancer survivors are invited to a Survivor's Luncheon on Saturday at 12:30 p.m., he said . 

Three hundred people are already signed up and another 200 are expected, said Bennett. 

The Relay for Life website says teams will camp out at the park and take turns walking or running around a course. Each team has committed to have a representative on the track at all times throughout the event. 

In an email, volunteer Roxanne Stephens provided the following details: 

Teams can begin setting up their campsites at 8 a.m. Most will host on-site fundraisers. Chocolate lollipops, t-shirts, and duct tape wallets are among the items to be sold. All proceeds go to the American Cancer Society.

The Survivor's Luncheon will take place under the park pavilion at 12:30 p.m.  Food will be donated by Blue Collar Catering of Bayville and entertainment will be provided by the Central Regional Chorus and artist Nicholas Wainwright. 

The opening ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. at the park stage. During this ceremony, survivors and caregivers will be recognized. 

After the opening ceremony, the relay will begin with the Survivors Lap, followed by a Caregiver Lap, and a Banner Lap, during which all teams will display their team banners. 

There will be activities and live performances throughout the day, including face painting, water balloon tosses, pony rides, three-legged races, a watermelon eating contest, and much more.

A solemn Luminaria Ceremony will be held at 10 p.m. Relayers will walk in silence around the track, which will be lit only by luminaria bags decorated in honor or memory of loved ones who have been affected by cancer. 

At 11:45 p.m., during a Fight Back Ceremony, participants will pledge to do something proactive to prevent cancer, like getting fit, quitting smoking, or having a mammogram. 

Activities will continue throughout the night and early morning hours.

A closing ceremony will be held at 5:30 a.m. 

In the event of inclement weather, the Relay for Life will be held inside Central Regional Middle School. Participants are advised to check the event website to verify the location if severe weather is forecast. 

For more information, contact event coordinator Bradley Bennett at bradley.bennett@cancer.org.