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Relay For Life is both a tribute to cancer survivors and a memorial to victims who succumbed to the disease. Above all, it is a means of raising money to help everyone gain an even better chance of survival.
The Lewisboro Relay event was originally organized by John Jay High School student, Gigi Antonelle, recent winner of the Wilma C. Rogalin Leadership Scholarship Award, presented by the Pound Ridge Women’s Republican Club.
Relay’s concept is simple. People get together in teams and take turns walking steadily for a full 12 hours. Their efforts are supported by sponsors who have pledged various amounts of money to each team. While the teams do their jobs, friends and family gather around to cheer them on. Many people camp out overnight.
Speeches, music and other forms of entertainment keep the crowd amused and a number of refreshments booths and vendors are on hand as well. A highlight of the evening is the lighting of the Luminarias in honor of cancer victims.
As of Thursday afternoon, 75 teams had signed on, comprising 651 participants. The sum already raised through sponsorship and other preliminary fundraisers was $169,025.82.
Registration begins at 4 p.m. on Friday. The Opening Ceremony is at 7 p.m., the Luminaria Ceremony is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. In between, a bounce house, glitter tattoos, Ziggo the Zany Magician, a martial arts demonstration and other events will provide fun for children off all ages.
The overnight entertainment includes a water balloon toss, a scavenger hunt, cheese ball toss, tug-o-war and finally, breakfast at 6 a.m., followed by a closing ceremony.
Everyone is welcome to join in. Lewisboro’s Relay For Life will take place at the track of John Jay High School on Route 121, just north of Route 35 in Cross River.
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