Community invited to local Relay for Life activities

    PRESQUE ISLE – This year’s annual Relay for Life for Aroostook County will be hosted at Northern Maine Community College Friday, June 5 through Saturday, June 6. Twenty-four area teams will walk throughout the night to help raise funds for the American Cancer Society.     Members of the public are invited to come to the Friday evening portion of the Relay to enjoy the activities being offered for the whole family, as well as to show their support in this effort to step up the fight against cancer. The Relay for Life begins with an opening ceremony at 6 p.m., followed by a survivor/caregiver lap at 6:15 p.m., followed by a parade of teams.
    Cancer survivors and caregivers are invited to the Survivors’ Reception being held at 7 p.m. on campus.
    Live entertainment from 7:30-9 p.m. will feature several of the Aroostook Idol winners from the past five seasons, as well as other talented local singers. There will also be many children’s activities throughout the evening. A variety of hands-on activities will be offered courtesy of NMCC’s early childhood education program. In addition, in keeping with this year’s theme of Carnival for a Cure, many teams will feature carnival like games at their campsites. Some Shriner clowns will also be on hand.
    At 9 p.m., a Ceremony of Hope will be held, during which all of the luminaries purchased in honor of cancer survivors or in memory of those who have lost that battle, will be lit and, following a moment of silence, the names of these individuals will be read aloud. The luminaries will line the track, as well as spell out the word “Hope.” Luminary bags are available for a contribution to the American Cancer Society. They will be available for purchase during the June 5 event preceding the ceremony.
    For more information on the Relay for Life, contact Northern Maine Community College at 768-2809, or go to www.relayforlife.org.