Berkeley-Lacey Relay for Life On Tap For This Weekend At Veterans Park

They walk to remember those who have lost the battle, to support those who are still fighting and to cheer on those who have won.

The enemy? Cancer.

The American Cancer Society's Berkeley-Lacey Relay for Life officially gets underway at noon on Saturday, with a survivor's luncheon.

But members of the 38 teams signed up for the event so far will be setting up camp before that, said Roxanne Stephens, one of the event organizers and captain of team "Love you Mom-Mom."

The actual relay begins at 2 p.m. on Saturday with an opening ceremony, followed by a survivor's lap at 2:30 p.m. Teams must have at least one member walking all through the day and night into Sunday, she said.

Many of the teams are selling food in the main food tent to raise money. Former Berkeley Township Councilwoman ' team (Karen's Krew) is selling fried Oreos. Hamburgers, hot dogs, chili, pulled pork sandwiches, smoked barbeque, waffles and ice cream, funnel cakes and Hawaiian-themed food will also be available.

It's a rain or shine event, unless severe weather is predicted, Stephens said.

If we know by Thursday it's going to be torrential, we will move it into one of the schools," she said.

The event also features music, facepainting, a magic show, fun bus, pony rides and a variety of creative games and relays scheduled throughout the day.

For example, there's a "walk backwards" relay, the Mr/Mz relay, where the men dress up as female Disney characters and the women dress up as male Disney characters.

The "cars relay" features participants racing in their own cardboard cars. Each person races one lap, then hands the car off to another member, for a total of five laps.

Feeling a little tense lately? Take our your frustrations with a sledgehammer at the "car bash."

On a more serious note, the luminaria ceremony will begin at 10 p.m. Luminarias made out of white bags are lit along the relay route, with the names of loved ones and friends who lost their battles.

To donate for a personal luminaria, click on the American Cancer Society website, then type in "08721" in the zip code box. When the page comes up, click on luminaria tab on the right and follow the steps.

Stephens has also planned a number of events after the luminaria ceremony designed to keep people awake. A zumba class kicks off at 11 p.m., followed by karaoke at midnight.

"We have to keep people up," she joked. "We have stuff going until the wee hours of the morning."

As of this afternoon, 38 teams from Berkeley and Lacey are registered, with 313 participants. Berkeley Township Mayor and family will be back this year with "Team Knute," in memory of his father.