Relay for Life has been down but isn’t out, and organizers are striving to make this year the best yet.
The event is slated for Saturday, June 22 from 2-11 p.m. at the Point Park.
Organizing committee chair Anneda Chabot said that this year’s Relay will be a blend of old and new, focused on providing an entertaining evening for participants and visitors alike.
“So we do have a new thing, actually, but I went back to the frozen shirt game because people love it,” Chabot explained.
“It’s a lot of fun, as well as the scavenger hunt, which were not originally going to be in the schedule.”
The new event Chabot mentioned is a bit of a remix of a Relay standard.
“In the past we’ve done a newspaper fashion show, where you go to the catwalk and then people cheer and you determine the winner that way,” she said.
“This time we’re going to have a newspaper lipsync pageant, where not only do they get dressed up, but we’re going to have the music chosen already, we’re going to play it, this person gets to give ‘er on the stage and then we’ll determine a winner and do a crowning. It is definitely different than what we’ve done in the past.”
But Chabot is also quick to reassure that plenty of the events people love to see at the Relay will be returning as well, including the head shaving.
“We do have our barbecue for food and we also have a fish fry being put on by Wings of Hope,” she explained.
“We’ve just kind of brought back a lot of the good things and added too, with the car club, the motorcycle show and shine, as well as Sunset Water Sports.”
There will also be entertainment scheduled throughout the day for those in attendance, with 93.1 The Border personality Johnathan Price returning as emcee and Sandra Allan on hand to sing for the luminary ceremony.
As for participants, Chabot said that 51 people across seven teams have registered to take part in the walk this year, though the committee is still accepting registrations.
“The fact of it is, we’re not turning people away,” Chabot said.
“It doesn’t give you a lot of time to raise money, but I’ve seen it done. Whether it’s participants, survivors, volunteers, donations, we want you.”
The committee has also taken safety into account, with a team preparing to comb the entire site.
“I’ve been in contact with the Bear Clan,” Chabot said.
“So the day before the Relay, our committee as well as all my children and their friends and Bear Clan, we’re going to go to the point, and we are going to literally walk it. We’re going to make sure there’s not a needle, not a piece of glass, nothing.”
There are also opportunities for high school students to earn volunteer hours during the clean-up process, such as raking the sand at the beach.
The committee is also hoping to have the OPP increase their presence in the area during the Relay.
Chabot said she wants to make sure that people understand the Relay for Life is an event for everyone, not just the people registered to walk.
“Make it a family night,” Chabot suggested.
“Bring your kids. Spend some time in the water. Check out the cars.”
For more information or to register a team or survivor, contact Chabot at 276-0698.
Luminaries are still available to purchase around town, including the Fort Frances Times.
