Hundreds of white paper bags are now in the hands of McNaughton art students. Each bag displays the name of a loved one, a message of hope and support or a remembrance and an artistic design. These luminary bags will line the Relay for Life walking path at the end of the May 27 event in a moving ceremony.
“The last hour of Relay for Life focuses on those who’ve lost their battle with cancer,” Relay for Life chair Deb Burton said.
“This is the time for loved ones to contemplate their lost loved one in their own special, personal way.”
Luminaries can be purchased for $5 and either given to the McNaughton students to decorate or can be decorated by the purchaser and brought to Baker Creek Park on Relay day. Students will also be on-site to complete any last minute luminaries.
However, there’s five hours packed with activities beginning with the opening ceremonies at 5 p.m. on the main stage. As well as dignitaries and cancer survivor Katy Croft will also provide inspirational words for the participants.
Relay also kicks off with the 5K Walk and Run and the survivor lap. Performers on the main stage for the opening ceremonies include Gold Pan City Dancers, Metis Jiggers, First Nation Drummers and East Indian Dancers. Keeping the whole show moving will be MC Dorine Lamarche.
Entertainers for the rest of Relay will be the Correlieu Jazz Band, Windy Reeds, Barkerville Players and more to be confirmed.
The layout of the park will see bleachers and dinner tables facing the stage and the dance floor.
“We’re encouraging people to meet friends and loved ones for the community dinner and dancing,” Burton said.
Ashley Schmidt is in charge of the silent auction during Relay for Life.
“I thought a silent auction would be a good fit and another opportunity to raise money for Relay,” she said.
She’s still on the hunt for donations of items, services, gift certificates, art or anything the public would be happy to pay money for. Bidding is from 5 – 9:30 p.m. To donate call Ashley at 250-991-1783.
New to Quesnel this year are Relay batons. Each team will pass a baton from team member to team member as they enter the track.
“Each baton is a symbol of passing the message of hope,” Burton said.
“Inside the hollow baton will be a survivor’s message designed to inspire every team member and remind them why they relay.”
The time is drawing near for team registration. The final day to register your team is May 13. Go online relayforlife.ca/quesnel, call Darlene Osborne, 250-747-2363 or drop by the CCS office.
As teams begin to accumulate fundraising money, they can
drop it off at Outlaw where it
will be picked up for deposit
by the financial lead George Meyer and deposited to the team’s total.
All team money must be dropped off at Bank Night, May 19 from 5 – 8 p.m. at the Canadian Cancer Office at the back of Fireside’s building at the top of Dragon Hill, 1216 Chew Road.
Team captains can also pick up Relay packages at the same time.
Don’t have a team? Just call Deb Burton 250-255-8225 and she’ll help put you in touch with a team you can join. Don’t want to be on a team?
Stop by the Baker Creek Park and join in the fun activities. Everyone is welcome.