For the first time, the Westfield-Sheridan Relay For Life will be held at the Grand Park Events Center from 5 p.m. to midnight May 10. There are several new offerings.
Westfield Police Dept. Sgt. Billy Adams, captain of the Shamrockin’ for a Cure relay team, said the group is trying to change a misconception of Relay For Life.
“One big thing we want to convey this year is, what we found is attendance has dropped and dropped and dropped and dropped,” Adams said. “There’s still a lot of people who haven’t heard of Relay, or because it’s called Relay for Life, there’s a lot of people who ask and say they want to come and they say they can’t run, and I said, ‘It’s not actually a run, it’s called Relay For Life, but you don’t run laps.’”
The opening ceremony will be at 5 p.m. From 5 to 8 p.m., there will be bounce houses, games, silent auctions and more. Wristbands for kids to play in the bounce houses and participate in the games are $5 per family. Admission is $10 for individuals wanting to attend who aren’t part of a team. All proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society.
“It’s a community event with the intention of raising awareness and funds for cancer research,” Adams said. “It’s an event to bring the community together for a cause that almost affects everyone at this point. Everybody knows somebody, personally or a friend or family member, affected by cancer.”
The Flying Toasters band will perform from 8 to 9:30 p.m., followed by a luminary ceremony at 10 p.m., with closing events to follow.
Event organizers want to raise $100,000 for the American Cancer Society. Adams said the Shamrockin’ for a Cure team wants to raise $10,000.
