NOTE: “Today” and “tonight” refer to Friday, July 31.
FORKS — Thirteen teams and 114 registered participants in Relay For Life of Forks are ready to offer around-the-clock walking, music, remembrance and competitions today and Saturday.
The annual event at Forks High School, 261 S. Spartan Ave., will raise money for patient support and cancer research.
The event is family-friendly, free and open to the public.
“Everyone in the Forks area should come out and join us,” said Megan Smothers, Relay For Life event coordinator.
This year’s theme is country and western: “Boot Cancer.”
Live music, a late-night movie and theme laps are among the entertainment planned.
Participating teams sell food and donated items, hold raffles, host games, dress in silly costumes and walk laps to raise money around the clock to become the top fundraiser at the relay.
Laps at 3 p.m.
Laps will begin at 3 p.m. today, with an opening ceremony at 6 p.m., immediately followed by survivor and caregiver laps.
Live music will begin at 4 p.m. and continue through midnight.
Performers will include Kaci Price, Crescent Blue, Maybe Next Tuesday, Chuck DeOng and Jaime Henry.
Luminaria ceremony
One of the most popular events of Relay For Life, the luminaria ceremony, will be at 10 p.m. today.
Traditionally during the ceremony, a candle is placed inside a paper bag and burned in tribute to a person who won or lost a battle with cancer.
Because of the current burn ban and high fire danger in the North Olympic Peninsula this summer, glow sticks will be used in place of candles for luminaria placed in the wooden stadium.
At 1 a.m. Saturday, organizers will show a movie to help participants stay awake.
The movie had not been selected as of Wednesday, Smothers said.
Breakfast will be served at 6 a.m., and closing ceremonies will take place at 11:30 a.m. Saturday.
The 2015 Relay For Life marks the 30th year since the very first Relay For Life was held in Tacoma in May 1995.
This year, the American Cancer Society expects to sponsor more than 5,200 Relay For Life events in 20 countries.
Money raised
As of Thursday morning, West End participants had raised $20,894.74, according to its website at www.tinyurl.com/PDN-relay.
Donations for the fundraiser can be brought to participants at the event site, or electronic donations can be made on the website.
For every dollar raised, 72 cents goes directly to programs that support cancer patients and cancer research.
The Forks fundraiser is the third of four Relay For Life events on the Peninsula.
The Port Angeles relay was held June 6-7, and the Jefferson County event was July 18-19 in Chimacum.
The Sequim Relay For Life will be Aug. 8-9 at Sequim High School, 601 N. Sequim Ave.
For more information about cancer treatment or programs, phone the 24-hour American Cancer Society line at 800-227-2345.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arice@peninsuladailynews.com.
