ROME

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Central New York, presented by Upstate Cancer Center, is inviting the community to join the movement to honor and remember loved ones and fight back for lifesaving change on Saturday, Sept. 17 from noon to 9 p.m. at Delta Lake State Park, 8797 Route 46.

This year, several of the area’s individual Relay For Life events have merged into one large event, including Relay For Life of Utica, Rome, Madison County and the Syracuse area Festival of Relays.

“For years, volunteers have asked us to bring everyone together to make one, large Relay For Life event that unites all of our communities,” explained Robert Elinskas, Senior Community Development Manager for the American Cancer Society. “We’re excited to host over 50 teams from all over Central New York as we celebrate survivors, remember those lost and fight back by raising the funds needed to continue important cancer research and patient service programs.”

Relay For Life of Central New York features more than 50 teams from various local families, businesses and community groups who will try to keep at least one person from their team walking around the makeshift walking track at Delta Lake State Park during the event. The event, which is open to the public, will feature an opening celebratory survivor reception from noon to 2 p.m. for all cancer survivors and caregivers, as well as a luminaria ceremony to remember all those lost because of cancer at 8 p.m.

The event will also feature a variety of live music, food trucks, the Upstate Cancer Center mobile mammography van, cornhole, the Clinton Tractor “survivor” tractor, numerous on-site fundraisers, kid activities and much more.

For more than 35 years, Relay For Life has joined communities together to remember loved ones lost, honor survivors of all cancers, and raise money to help the American Cancer Society save lives from cancer. Dollars raised each year by more than 500,000 Relay participants across the country help attack all cancers in countless ways – funding and conducting breakthrough research, providing education and advocating for the needs of cancer patients and their families, and providing essential services throughout their cancer journey.

The following is a
schedule of activities:

• 9 a.m. to noon: Teams set up.

• Noon to 1 p.m.: Opening Ceremonies at the main stage, opening speakers and the Survivor & Caregiver Lap.

• Noon to 2 p.m.: Free Survivor Reception at the Survivor Tent.

• 1-2 p.m.: 96.1 FM The Eagle.

• 1:30 p.m.: Theme Lap — Football.

• 2-3 p.m.: Joe Ferlo and Juliane Price at the main stage.

• 3-5 p.m. Council Rock Band at the main stage.

• 3:30 p.m. Theme Lap — Scarecrow Contest.

• 5-8 p.m. DJ at the main stage.

• 5:30 p.m. Theme Lap — Red, White and Blue.

• 7:30 p.m. Theme Lap — Glow in the Dark.

• 7:30-9 p.m.: Stargazing with Mohawk Valley Astronomical Society.

• 7:45 p.m. Raffle winners announced.

• 8-9 p.m.: Luminaria Ceremony, speakers, bagpiper and soft music.

• 8 p.m.: Deadline for donation turn-in.

• 8:55 p.m. Final lap.

• 9 p.m. Closing Ceremonies, team totals and winners announced.

• 9:30 p.m.: Clean-up and event breakdown.

Kids activities

• The Kids Corner will be open from 1 to 7 p.m. with several different crafts including pumpkin painting and decorating.

• Face painting from 1-2 and 4-5 p.m.

• Photo area with props all day.

• Games, with some requiring a small donation, and cornhole open to all children.

Food truck relay

• Noon to 8 p.m.: Oscars Steak & Crab.

• 5-9 p.m.: Healthy Choice.

• 5-9 p.m.: Tubesteaks.

• 5:30-9 p.m.: Cafe Cannoli/Spaced Out.

• 6-9 p.m.: The Grapevine.

There will also be team bake sales and other goodies for sale. All trucks are making a donation to the event.

Relay is presented by Upstate Cancer Center and is supported by several local businesses and organizations including AmeriCU, NYSTEC, Carrier Corporation, MVHS, Orgill of Rome, Sovena USA, KJ Electric, 96.1 the Eagle, and others.

Founded by Dr. Gordy Klatt in Tacoma, Washington in 1985, the Relay For Life movement unites communities across the globe to celebrate people who have been touched by cancer, remember loved ones lost, and take action for lifesaving change.

To learn more about Relay For Life, visit RelayForLife.org or call 1-800-227-2345.