Clinton Relay for Life Starts Saturday
County Fairgrounds New Venue
MACKEYVILLE – The annual Clinton County Relay for Life will be held beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday at a new venue, the Clinton County Fairgrounds.
This year’s event will be focused around the theme “Prime Time for a Cure” with team activities centered on current and past television hits.
The change in site marks the first time that Relay will be held at the Clinton County Fair Grounds. “We are so grateful to the Clinton County Fair Association for hosting and sponsoring Relay,” Co-Chair Rona Houser stated. “Ruth Eoute has been a tremendous help and deserves many thanks.”
In addition, the move to the fairgrounds gives ample space for the survivor dinner to be held in one of the fair buildings and out of the weather, which in years past has proven to be unpredictable.
“Having the opportunity to use the buildings will provide relief from the sun and the rain for our cancer survivors during the survivor festivities,” said Brenda Ankney, Public Relations chairperson for the Clinton County Relay for Life. “This will be a great space for our survivors be recognized and enjoy their time together as we celebrate their courage and their fight against this dreaded disease.”
This year the goal is to raise $64,000. Relay Co-Chair Meredith Welshans said Clinton County hasn’t made its goal since 2005 but is confident they will surpass it this year. “We have a great group of people who have been fundraising all year”, she said. “We also want to thank our sponsors and students at Central Mountain who used their senior projects to raise money for Relay.”
The day’s events will kick off with opening ceremonies at 10 a.m. with Central Mountain High School junior Gage Sorgen sharing his story of the loss his step-father just a few months ago from colorectal cancer. His story is also one that encourages early intervention and self-advocacy. Following Sorgen, each team will be announced and asked to walk a lap together—cheering each other on as they prepare to “Celebrate, Remember and Fight Back!”
The survivor ceremonies are slated to begin at 5pm. This year’s speaker is Martha Rowedder a professor at Lock Haven University who is a breast cancer survivor.
The dinner will begin immediately following the survivor lap. Any survivor who has not registered and would like to preregister can do so by calling Kim Peters at 570-660-5889. You can also register the day of Relay.
The luminary ceremony will begin at 9 p.m. with hundreds of luminary bags placed around the path in honor or memory of someone who is or has battled cancer. A lap of silence will follow as walkers take time to reflect on their own personal experiences with the disease.
Throughout the day there will be activities and on-sited fundraisers at many of the team’s tent sites. From basket raffles and fresh flower sales to temporary tattoos and a relay store, there will be something for everyone throughout the tent sites at Relay. Food vendors will be dispersed throughout the walking path and many the teams will also be selling food and drinks as part of their fundraising efforts.
In addition, there will also be Relay organized events throughout the day for participants of all ages. The schedule of events includes:
10 a.m.: Opening Ceremonies
10:30: Survivor Registration Begins
10:30: Inflatable Slide – 50 cents a turn
11:00 Silent Auction – Cancer Awareness guitar built and donated by CM Students Loc Long and Cody Heane
12:30: Frozen T-Shirt Contest
1:00: Music by Brandy and Jeremy
1:30: Money Pit
2:00: Music by Snug
3:00 Butterfly Release by Bucktail Medical
3:00 50lb Hamburger Chow Down
4:00 Music by Gruve Therapy
5:00 Survivor Ceremony
5:15 Survivor Lap
5:30 Survivor Dinner
7:00 Bingo in building and Zumba under entertainment pavillion
8:30 Ms. Relay Talent Show
9:00 Luminary Ceremony
9:30 Music by Ken Volz
10:00 Glow Stick Bowling
11:00 Karaoke and All Night Music with Ken Yeaney
Sunday, May 18th
12:00 a.m. Capture the Flag
1:00 a.m. Wiffle Ball
8:00 a.m. Worship Service—Nick Boonstra from Big Woods
9:30 a.m. Closing Ceremony
Relay team organizers said the 24-hour event is devised around the premise that cancer never sleeps. Teams are formed and designated members are asked to take turns on the walking path during all hours of the event.
Sponsors this year are: Fox Hollow Construction, LLC., First Quality, Lock Haven Hospital, Northwest Savings Bank, Avery Dennison, Central PA Auto Auction, Browns Hill Tavern and Motel, Miller Brothers Auto Sales, Goode Design, Martin Motors, Woodmen of the World, Fast Break Inflatables, Bill Crowell Photography and Rachel’s Dance Unlimited.
For more information about the Clinton County Relay for Life please contact Rona Houser at 570-660-7737 or Meredith Welshans at 814-404-3552.
