FORKS — A “Mardi Gras-Party for a Cure” is the theme of the Forks Relay For Life that begins today.
The 24-hour party, a fundraiser for cancer research, begins at 3 p.m. today — with the opening ceremony at 6 p.m. — and runs until the closing ceremony at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Forks High School, 191 S. Spartan Ave.
“There will be masks and tattoos and lots of beads,” said Bobbi Reeves, publicity chairwoman for the event.
“It will be great family fun.”
At least 15 teams, which have already raised money through staging a variety of events, will offer food, games, raffles and entertainment.
This year’s goal is to raise $55,000, said Marie DeOng, event chairwoman.
As of Thursday, $16,936. 96 had been raised.
All proceeds go to the American Cancer Society.
At relay events, teams of people camp out and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times.
Theme laps, such one in which participants wear “all the beads they can find,” are scheduled this weekend, Reeves said.
The Luminaria Ceremony is at 10 p.m. tonight. Candles are lit inside bags filled with sand, each one bearing the name of a person touched by cancer, and participants often walk a lap in silence.
The Jimmy Hoffman Band will perform at 4 p.m. today with Loose Gravel playing at 8 p.m. and Therapy Session performing at 9 p.m.
A blood drive will be held at 8 a.m. Saturday.
Donations of hair will taken at a Locks of Love tent from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. tonight and from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. The hair is used to make wigs for cancer patients who have lost their hair because of chemotherapy treatments.
The event in Forks is the third of four on the North Olympic Peninsula this summer. Port Angeles and Port Townsend have held their events, while Sequim’s Relay For Life will begin Aug. 14 at Sequim High School.
For more information about the West End relay, see www.relayforlife.org/forkswa or phone Bobbie Reeves at 360-327-3849.
