By Adam Brazeau
CORNWALL, Ontario – The fight against cancer will be in full force at Relay For Life in Maxville tonight.
Hundreds of survivors, caregivers, volunteers, and supporters of the cause will be circling the Agricultural Society Fairgrounds in Maxville from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Dozens of Relay teams will be dressed in costumes and singing loudly during the all-night event. To stay warm, participants pitch tents, decorated with their team’s theme, throughout the fairgrounds.
The commitment to fight cancer and the overwhelming display of team spirit are inspirational. In 2013, over 100 teams helped raise more than $320,000 for cancer research.
Every year, weather conditions are a key factor to the overall atmosphere at the event. Fortunately, Environment Canada is not calling for any rain tonight. (For more details, check the local weather report here.)
Relay For Life is jam-packed with activities for the entire family, including square dancing, Zumba, Kid’s Zone, Mobile Gamerz, and a silent auction.
There’s a lot going on at this non-competitive, 12-hour overnight fundraising event. Check out some of the highlights from the Relay schedule:
Opening ceremonies commence at 7 p.m. with a Survivors’ Victory Lap, as the South Glengarry Pipes and Drums serenade the crowd.
Campsite decoration judging from 7:30 – 8:30 p.m.
A Volunteer Lap followed by the Team Costume Parade at 7:40 p.m.
A live auction kicks off on stage at 8:00 p.m.
The moving Luminary Ceremony from 10 – 10:30 p.m. will celebrate cancer survivors and honour loved ones lost to cancer. Luminaries are lit at twilight and provide light and inspiration to participants all night.
Then, Cornwall’s Alison Wonderland will take the stage as the event’s headliners from 10:15 – 11:30 p.m.
The Benson/TV Cogeco BBQ will also be taking place between 10:30 – 11:30 p.m.
In the morning, participants can wrap up the experience with a continental breakfast, served from 5:00 – 6:00 a.m.
And if you can’t make it out to Maxville, don’t worry, it’s not too late to show your support. The online fundraising system for Relay For Life 2014 events will remain open until fall 2014.
