Fairfield Relay for Life Set for Saturday

More than 130 teams of children and adults whose lives have been touched by cancer will participate in the Relay for Life of Fairfield this Saturday, June 6 at Fairfield Ludlowe High School.

The event raises money to fund The American Cancer Society’s many programs that include research, education, advocacy and service in the fight against cancer.

This year marks the 30th Anniversary nationally of Relay For Life.

Fairfield’s Relay, which was founded in 1998, is expected to draw a crowd in excess of 2,000 people and the teams will converge to walk the Ludlowe track from 3 p.m. until midnight, keeping at least one member of each team walking at all times, Relay style.

Read more about the day’s events from the press release below:

Events will also include a Frozen T-Shirt Contest, Mr. Relay Pageant, a live band and singers from the local schools. Also, at our Hair Donation station, anyone with at least eight inches of un-dyed hair to spare can donate their locks to be made into wigs for people who have lost their hair as a result of chemotherapy. Hairdressers from Hair Bellagio, a local salon, will be cutting ponytails from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Register at Fairfield Ponytails@gmail.com.

Team Check-in will begin at 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 6 at the main entrance to the school’s track and field.

The Opening Ceremony, which will start at 6 p.m., and will include speeches by this year’s Honorary Chairs, cancer survivors Ilene Young and Cameron Yates. Ms. Young and Mr. Yates will also lead fellow survivors in the first ceremonial lap of Relay, followed by a second lap that includes the survivors’ caregivers.

Then walkers from every team return to the track, walking until midnight. Prior to the Opening Ceremony, a complimentary reception will take place from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. for all Survivors and Caregivers at the event – pre-registration is required.

At 9 p.m., The Luminaria Ceremony, commences, with the track lined with Luminaria memorials lit to honor those lost to cancer and pay tribute to those still battling the disease. At this time, all take to the track to walk a lap in silence.

Luminaria can be purchased at the event price to the ceremony.

At 10 p.m., we heat things up with a Zumba session, where instructors lead participants in fun salsa moves to high-energy music.

At 11 p.m. the Fight Back Ceremony celebrates our Survivors and their spirit with a Martial Arts demonstration, followed by the Closing Ceremony and Top Teams Awards at 11:30 p.m. Then to cap off the night, a session of Moonlight Yoga at Midnight.

For more information, on Relay For Life of Fairfield, visit www.relayforlife.org/fairfieldct or call the American Cancer Society at 203-563-1500.