Newtown Invited To Support Cancer Survivors, Caregivers At Saturday's Relay For Life
In the weeks leading up to this Saturday’s nine-hour Relay for Life, community members and teams that will take the field at Newtown High School’s Blue & Gold Stadium have been busy raising funds and attention about this significant, community-wide celebration of cancer survivors, caregivers, and the many friends, neighbors and family members who have lost the fight.
There were raffles, car washes, beer and wine tastings, flocks of pink flamingos, last weekend’s “Power of Purple” arts festival, and dozens of other lead-up activities all aimed at making this year’s Relay For Life a huge success.
The 2015 relay has been scaled back from an overnight event down to nine hours. Organizers hope the shortened schedule will make it easier for teams and supporters, as well as visitors from the community and beyond to take advantage of all the activities and memorable moments inherent in this popular event.
Now 11 years strong, the local American Cancer Society fund and awareness-raising, non-sporting/non-competitive event has already raised more than $2.5 million. The June 13 relay opens at 3 pm and ends at midnight.
Newtown’s Relay For Life continues to recognize and celebrate all caregivers who give time, love, and support to their friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers facing cancer.
Besides hosting an on-site survivors and caregivers reception inside the high school, the Relay is celebrating this year’s Honorary Relay For Life Caregiver Jack Nahmias and Honorary Survivor Lauren Pade.
Caregivers of residents who have lost their battles with cancer are encouraged to attend.
The first Relay for Life occurred in May 1985, when Dr Gordy Klatt walked and ran for 24 hours around a track in Tacoma, Wash., ultimately raising $27,000 to help the American Cancer Society. A year later, 340 supporters joined the overnight event. Since those first steps, the Relay For Life movement has grown into a worldwide phenomenon, raising nearly $5 billion to fight cancer.
Event Chairman Chris Farrington told The Newtown Bee that all the logistics that can be finalized in the days before the main event are in place, and this year’s teams, survivors, caregivers, volunteers and the community itself, are ready to relay once again.
The Relay is free for anyone wishing to attend for any length of time. This year’s event has a Dr Seuss theme, so visitors will find themed volunteer tent sites out on the Blue & Gold track, games, activities and even costumes all tied to characters and stories from the famous children’s author.
2015 Relay Schedule
The event opens at 3 pm with registration and team site setups, while DJ and musical host Rodd Blessy spins energetic tunes. The Snack Shack at the Hawk’s Nest will also open at 3 pm and remain open for food and refreshments for all until midnight.
Live entertainment begins at 3:30 pm with a number of young performers showing off their singing talents throughout the afternoon and evening. During the entire Relay, individuals who qualify to donate hair as part of the annual Beautiful Lengths program can begin lining up for cuts by volunteers from a New Beginning Salon and Day Spa.
Anyone with questions about the Beautiful Lengths program or donation criteria can call 203.743.9795 or visit anbsalonspa.com.
Registration for the survivor/caregiver reception opens at 4:15 pm, with the reception running from 4:30 to 5:45 pm.
There will be a friendly Ultimate Frisbee competition happening on the field at 4:30 pm, and a scavenger hunt set for 5:30 pm.
Opening ceremonies including the inaugural Survivor’s Lap run from 6 to 7 pm, followed by themed laps and a live performance from recording artist Gregori Lukas, who will be making his second appearance at the Newtown Relay.
At 7:30, the Relay goes Dr Seuss crazy with a Dr Seuss themed lap that will draw all the event’s costumed volunteers to the track. Then, costumes of a different flavor will take center stage as the ever-popular “Miss Relay” competition pits a number of brave and willing gentlemen against one another for annual bragging rights to the title.
Event DJ Rodd Blessy will host his annual “$5 On - $20 Off” fundraiser, tempting or torturing attendees with a selection of truly “stoppable” selections around 8:30 pm, ahead of one of the most anticipated and emotional components of the Relay for Life.
At 9:15 pm, the Blue & Gold lights will dim as glowing bags light up the track for the annual Luminaria Ceremony. Each luminaria is personalized with a name, photo, message or drawing in memory or honor of a friend or loved one who has been affected by cancer.
Luminaria can also be dedicated in support of a Relay participant. Each luminaria candle represents a person.
At 10:15 pm, fun activities return with a frozen T-shirt contest sponsored by Ferris Acres Creamery, while others seeking a more serene escape can participate in a starter yoga session.
There will be a poker lap with prizes at 10:45 pm, followed by a first-ever Line Dance Lap with a soundtrack of the most popular line dance tunes happening at 11:15 pm.
Closing ceremonies will wrap-up the 2015 Relay between 11:45 pm and midnight, when the public and participants will make their exit from the stadium.
For details about the Newtown Relay, click here.