Disney’s Wish Upon a Cure is the theme for the 2017 Starke County Relay for Life event. It gets under way tomorrow afternoon at the Hamlet Fairgrounds. Ericka Taylor-Joseph is the chair for the 18-hour event.
“Everything will be Disney themed. We have a lot of family-friendly activities. If you’ve never been to a Relay for Life event, this is a time where we celebrate our survivors, we remember those we’ve lost, and we fight back against cancer.”
Taylor-Joseph says each hour will feature a different activity, starting at 5 p.m. with the opening ceremony. For instance, there will be “Frozen” Olaf melted water balloon toss and “Beauty and the Beast” themed Miss Relay contest. Participating gentlemen will dress up as women, so there may be some Disney Princesses with beards.
Taylor-Joseph adds the luminaria ceremony is the highlight of the evening.
“It’s a very moving ceremony where you can decorate a luminary bag, and it’s lit up for anyone that’s survived cancer that you have in your family or that’s someone that you lost. It’s a very emotional, moving ceremony, and it pretty much is what got me hooked the very first time I was there.”
Taylor-Joseph stresses Relay for Life is open to everyone, regardless of whether they are part of a team that has raised money all year or not. She encourages anyone who wants to come out and take part in the activities and atmosphere to stop by the Starke County Fairgrounds tomorrow evening. All proceeds go to the American Cancer Society. Starke County Relay for Life wraps up Saturday at 9 a.m.
