After months of preparation, plans for the Relay for Life at Centennial Park in 100 Mile House on June 8 are well underway.
Organizer Alaina Fryer says volunteers and participants are pumped for a fantastic day.
“We have 10 teams registered and a few more coming. We have a few last-minute details to take care of and we can always use more volunteers and we are still accepting teams, but the schedule for the day is pretty well set.”
Along with the actual relay, there will be a lot for people to see and do throughout the day.
Registration and team set-up goes from 8:30 to 10 a.m., with the opening ceremonies at 10:30.
Cancer survivors are invited to come down for the opening ceremony, and register before 10 a.m., so they can get their yellow shirts and take part in the opening lap.
Throughout the day there will be games, including bocce ball tournaments, three-legged races, tug-of-war, and other "old school" games.
Watch for different dance demos, including Cheralyn's Polynesian Dancers, Zoomba dancing by Gayle Ogden, belly dancing and more.
There will also be music and contests for folks to watch and participate in.
Lunch and dinner will be available, including a selection of healthier choice foods this year.
The event winds up with the traditional Luminary Ceremony at dusk
The Luminary bags are lined up by the creek bend around 9 p.m. and lit candles put inside. There will be a little speech, songs will be played, and then everyone walks the creek bend together.
Everyone is welcome to walk and it is not just those purchasing a bag.
There has been a slight change to part of the Luminary Ceremony, Fryer says, adding in the past, sand or gravel has been added to the bags to keep them in place.
This year, people who are considering buying a Luminary bag are asked to bring a canned food item to put in the bags. The can will act as weight in the bag as well as a candle holder, and all the donated food will be turned over to the 100 Mile House Food Bank, she explains.
Luminary bags are available at Lordco, United Carpet and caribooradio.com. They will also be available at Centennial Park during the relay on June 8.
“It has been a lot of work, but we’re really excited. We really want to see the community come down and enjoy and experience the day.”
For more information, contact Fryer at 250-706-8082.