JAY – The Franklin County Relay for Life will transform into a “Carnival for a Cure” when it gets underway 6 p.m. Friday at the Jay High School field. This overnight event continues through 6 a.m. Saturday.
“The Relay is an inspiring event for anyone who has fought cancer or loved someone who has fought cancer,” said Dee LaPlant, co-chair of the event. “Sometimes people feel helpless in the face of cancer. The Relay gives us a way to fight back by raising money for research and patient support and to celebrate the lives of those who have survived.”
This is the first time the Franklin County Relay for Life will be held at Jay High School. The move from Mt. Blue High School was prompted by the construction at Mt. Blue, but LaPlant said the positive side is that it brings in the southern portion of the county which may not have felt as much a part of the event when it was in Farmington. “We’re seeing great support from the Jay-Livermore Falls area. It’s very exciting,” said LaPlant.
The Relay is an overnight event, symbolizing the fact that “cancer never sleeps.” This year, the event is dedicated to Farmington Police Chief Richard Caton, who lost his battle with leukemia last summer.
“It is very much a community event. Every individual counts at the Relay, from those who are fighting a personal battle and those who care for them to the many more who are raising money to eliminate cancer from our lives,” said LaPlant. “The Relay gives us a chance to celebrate survivors, remember those who have not survived and fight back for a cure.”
Celebrate, Remember and Fight Back, are, in fact, the primary themes of the Relay. Survivors are celebrated as they make the first lap around the track. People with cancer are remembered in the Luminaria ceremony, where hundreds of white bags with candles inside line the track bearing the names of those who are fighting cancer and those who have passed on.
The Relay is the major volunteer-driven fundraising event of the American Cancer Society. It has raised billions of dollars since its founding in 1985. The Franklin County Relay for Life has been going strong since 1998 and has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for research and patient support.
Anyone who would like to donate may come to the event or make a donation online at www.relayforlife.org/franklinme. The local event also has a Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/RelayFranklin.
Schedule of Events 2011 – Relay for Life/Franklin County
6:00 welcome – registration, National Anthem, dedication to Chief Caton, guest speaker – Seth, Survivor Lap
Dinner & Survivor Reception – Dinner provided by Franklin Savings Bank at FSB campsite. Survivors and caregivers line up for dinner first, then other participants may join in until the food is gone.
Announcements – lap beads, etc.
6:15-8:00 – Survivors will be judging campsites
6:30-12:00 – Pickup Duck Game at Positively Purple-Next Gen Campsite
7:00 – Kids Lap (for age under 18 only)
7:00-? – Root Beer Floats sold at Positively Purple–Next Gen Campsite while supplies last
7:00-8:00 – Fortune Telling Booth Open at Franklin Savings Bank Campsite
7:00-9:00 – Snow Cones and Popcorn for Sale at FCHN Healing Hands Campsite
7:00-10:00 – Bouncy House open at Rhonda’s Rock-n-Rollers campsite, face-painting
7:15 – Skipping Lap
7:30 – Balloon Lap (Team Franklin Savings Bank)
7:45 – Siblings Lap
8:00 – Donut Eating Contest (Caton’s Crew) Thank you Dunkin Donuts!
8:30 – Three-legged Lap (Positively Purple Team)
9:00 – Clown Lap – only those wearing clown accessories are allowed on the track
9:15 – Winning Campsite will be announced
9:30 – Luminaria Ceremony
10:00 – Reverse Lap Direction until 10:30
10:30 – Couples Lap, Tug of War (FCHN Healing Hands)
11:00-1:00 – Volleyball (Rhonda’s Rock-n-Rollers)
12:00 – America Runs on Dunkin Lap, Hot Dogs for Sale at FCHN Healing Hands Campsite
12:15 – Minute to Win It – Elephant March at Team Electrics Campsite
1:00 – Clown Relay (MAPS Brigade)
2:00 – Poker Run Laps (Positively Purple–Next Gen)
5:45 – Closing Ceremony
