Hope On Main Street will return next month after being forced to cancel the last two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It will take place at C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main Street, on Saturday, September 10, rain or shine from 5:30 to 7 pm.

According to Gayle DiBenedetto, founder and chairperson of Hope On Main Street, the event is a smaller version of Relay For Life, which previously took place in Newtown.

“Our goal is to continue to raise awareness and funds for the American Cancer Society. And to bring some hope and happiness into the lives of our survivors and caregivers. They deserve this special time and [to] be surrounded by their biggest supporters,” she said by e-mail.

The event will start with a small gathering in front of the library, where survivors and their caregivers will be warmly welcomed. There will be a small reception with a speech and prayer, where tokens/gifts will be presented to survivors and caregivers.

The official walk will be kicked off by a bagpiper and the group will then walk south from the library to 3 Main Street, where the former police station was located. This will be repeated back and forth, for those who are able, until the end of the event.

Participants and passersby will be able to see lit luminary bags along both sides of Main Street from the corner of Sugar Street/Route 302 to Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main Street.

How To Get Involved

For cancer survivors and caregivers who are interested in participating, registration can be sent to hopeonmainstreet@gmail.com and are due by Saturday, September 3.

Businesses in the community can also join the event by becoming a sponsor. Businesses, as well as volunteers should also e-mail hopeonmainstreet@gmail.com.

DiBenedetto added, “We are open to donations of monetary value and/or gifts to survivors.”

For more information, visit hopeonmainstreet.com and follow the group on Facebook @HopeOnMainStreet.

Reporter Alissa Silber can be reached at alissa@thebee.com.