The 2017 Relay for Life of McKean County began on Friday in the midst of clouded skies and rain. Rosa Macilvaine, head of entertainment for the relay, said the rain was more than welcome.
“Last year it was scorching hot, we were begging to get rainfall, so the rain is certainly welcome,” she said.
And welcomed it was, as the folks taking part in the relay seemed unaffected by the rain as they walked from tent to tent experiencing the many different events the relay had to offer.
Prior to the event starting, the radio station 100.1 “The Hero” promoted the event with a live broadcast encouraging the people of Bradford to volunteer and experience the relay.
“All week long we donated airtime to the event to help promote it and get the word out and spread awareness,” said Dan “Igor” Griffin, the program director and on-air personality at “The Hero.”
“We try to be here two hours before the event and broadcast from here live, enticing people to come. We give away tickets to Waldameer Park in Erie as well as free T-shirts and other radio memorabilia,” he said.
The Relay for Life shares the Pitt-Bradford campus this weekend with the 20th Penn’s Woods Jeep Jamboree. Just like the rain, the relay welcomed the jamboree with open arms.
“You might think that the jamboree would take away from this event, but actually it really helps,” said Macilvaine.
“The people taking part of the jamboree come and they experience the events here at the relay. They also donate to the cause, so we really love sharing the weekend with them, it gives the relayers even more to do while they’re here.”
In its 24 years of existence, the Relay for Life of McKean County has raised $2 million in total for cancer research across the nation. This years goal is $63,000, a goal that Macilvaine is sure they will meet despite the weather.
Most of the events continued on through the weather with the exception of the Luminaria Ceremony which was moved from Friday at 8 p.m. to today at 11 a.m.
The remaining events for the relay today starting are as follows:
8 a.m., Coffee & Canvas. Money Love Cure fundraiser. Participants can enjoy the morning with a cup of coffee and painting. The $30 fee will cover coffee, canvas and paint supplies.
10 a.m., Hungry Hippo. A player is pushed by their team to the center of the play area and attempts to grab (or place under a basket) as many balls as possible and return them to his or her team’s corner.
11 a.m. Luminaria Ceremony
11 a.m., Flushing Out Cancer. Singles or teams will try and throw toilet paper into a toilet seat and the group with the most points at the end wins. Prince and Princess Introduction of Royal Court. Entertainment by Studio B Dancers.
Noon, Survivor Ceremony and Lap
1 p.m., Water Balloon Toss. Requires two players from a team. Team captain meeting at Survivor Tent. Music by Shane Rimer.
3 p.m., Closing Ceremony. Announcement of Prince and Princess winners. Bubble Lap.
