By Therese Righter —
O’NEALS — Are you ready? The countdown is on — just ten days until Relay for Life: Sierra Mountain Communities for a Cure begins!
The entire community is invited to join in the celebrations as we memorialize those we have lost, honor those who are currently fighting and those who have won their battle with the terrible disease we all know — cancer. Each and every one of us has been affected by cancer in some way. You are invited to join the fight.
No, you don’t have to walk around the track. Come for dinner Friday night, and stay for the Luminaria Ceremony – a heartwarming experience of remembrance and hope. At 10 p.m. the event will close to all guests, leaving the Relay for Life Teams to walk the track all night, because “cancer never sleeps.”
Bring the whole family on Saturday, Mar. 30, for a Community Pancake Breakfast sponsored by the Sierra Oakhurst Kiwanis Club from 7:30 – 10:30 a.m. (only $5 per person), the Opening Ceremonies, and a day filled with fun, joy, love and laughter.
You can even donate your hair to either Children with Hair Loss (8 – 11 inch ponytail), or Wigs for Kids (12 inches and more), get a massage, participate in a Silly String Fight, or get your photo taken with Benji, the miniature horse. Each Relay Team campsite will have a fun activity in which you may participate as well.
If you are interested in donating to American Cancer Society, or purchasing a luminaria, please visit Relay For Life. Contact Daniel Ching, or Therese Righter if you have any questions.
Photos courtesy of Sierra Mountain Communities for a Cure
Schedule of Events
Friday, Mar. 29
4:30 p.m. Gates open & registration begins (Entrance)
5 p.m. Dinner is served (Food Court) Pulled pork sandwiches, chips, drink (cost TBA) Hosted by Minarets Youth Wrestling
*Portion of proceeds go to American Cancer Society
Luminaria sales open (Minarets Show Band stage)
6:45 p.m. Luminaria sales close
7:30 p.m. Luminaria Ceremony (stage)
8 p.m. Torch of Hope Lap (track)
8:30 p.m. RELAY BEGINS! (track)
9 p.m. Lip Sync / Air Guitar (stage) Sponsored by Rivergold Leadership
10:30 p.m. Theme Lap: “Decades” (track)
11 p.m. Nerf Football Toss (center field) Sponsored by Spring Valley Walking Warriors
11:30 p.m. Theme Lap: “Light the Night” (track)
12 a.m. Road to Recovery Race (center field) Sponsored by Insomniacs
1 a.m. Scavenger Hunt (center field) Sponsored by Minarets Cheer
2 a.m. Glow in the Dark Water Balloon Toss (center field) Sponsored by Minarets Key Club
3 a.m. – 7:00 am Quiet Hours / DJ / Keep on Walking! track)
Saturday, Mar. 30
7 a.m. Registration opens (entrance)
7:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Community Pancake Breakfast (food court) $5 per person – Hosted by Sierra Oakhurst Kiwanis Club
7:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. Benji the Miniature Therapy Horse (Benji’s pen) – brought to us by Margaret Sanders
8 a.m. Theme Lap: “Bed Head” (track)
9 a.m. Opening Ceremony (stage)
9:30 a.m. Survivor Lap (track)
9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Survivor Breakfast (food court) Sponsored by Insomniacs & Sierra Oakhurst Kiwanis Club
10 a.m. Bubbles (center field) – Sponsored by Mountain Mommas
10:30 a.m. Parade of Teams (track)
11 a.m. Zumba (stage) sponsored by Form Fitness
11:30 a.m. Theme Lap: “Superhero” (track)
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. Whiskey Creek Band (stage) North Fork
12 p.m. Grass Volleyball Game (VB court) Sponsored by MHS VB / BK Lighting
12:30 p.m. Field Goal Kick Contest (end of field) Sponsored by YHS Service Clubs
1 p.m. Theme Lap: “Purple Pride” (track)
1:30 p.m. Silly String Fight (center field) Sponsored by Minarets Cheer
2 p.m. Dancers Inc. Performance (track) Sponsored by INC for Pink
2:30 p.m. Awards & Closing Ceremony (stage)
