Lockport, New York: Outdoor Movies Raise Funds for American Cancer Society

CITY OF LOCKPORT: Relay is Ready to Raise Funds for American Cancer Society

Outdoor Movies in Lockport, New YorkThis weekend, nearly 1,000 registered walkers and countless visitors will gather at the track at Emmet Belknap Elementary School to help celebrate the 25th anniversary of the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life. A mini tent city will go up on the football field, as Relay participants prepare to take on the fight against cancer in a 16-hour celebration of life and hope for a cancer-free future. Beginning at 2 p.m. Saturday, the grounds will be open with many free family activities, including a bounce house, a petting zoo and the children's activity tent. Dawn Ryan and crew will have coloring activities, crafts, bracelet-making, face painting, nail art and cotton candy to keep the kids busy. Gracie in Goal lets visitors try to kick a soccer ball past Gracie, a therapy dog who loves to field soccer balls. There will also be a dunk tank, the Gravity Pirates Jugglers and maybe a clown or two. For those staying the night, there will be an animated movie under the stars. Surf's Up will be shown on a giant inflatable screen. New this year will be a tug-of-war between Lockport firemen and policemen and a Kan Jam tournament that will go on into the evening. The donation to register is $5 per team. The Outrageous Bra Extravaganza showcases cleverly decorated bras that will be auctioned off by guest auctioneer Tammy Lee Demler of LCTV. The apparel will be on display throughout the day to draw attention to breast cancer issues. The Ms. Relay contest returns, with men dressed as female beauties to get cash votes from event-goers. The winner will be crowned later in the evening. Other activities include a scavenger hunt, watermelon eating contest and water balloon toss. Stage entertainment includes the Memphis Sun Band, Lockport Community Band, Dyan Mulvey Dance Academy, Newfane High School Jazz Band, Lockport High School Show Choir, Niagara County Youth Choir and Lockport Community Choir. The Memory Basket auction is open to everyone, and winners need not be present for the drawing. Tickets are $5 per sheet of 25 and will be on sale between 2 and 9:30 p.m., with the winners posted after 10 p.m. Most of the baskets are elaborate tributes to loved ones or friends who have battled cancer, and their poignant stories are attached for event-goers to share. Individual teams will have fundraising activities at their sites, including raffles for several quilts, a 42-inch flat screen television, a diamond ring and many things to purchase. Cancer survivors have a place of honor at the Relay For Life and they assemble in the VIP tent by 5:45 p.m. to get their special shirts, sashes and other surprises. Nearly 200 survivors have registered this year, a record number. The official opening ceremony begins at 6 p.m. in front of the main stage. As part of the ceremony, there will be a Survivor's Lap, Caregivers Lap and Parade of Teams. This year's theme is Wave goodbye to cancer, and relay teams will decorate tent sites with a beach theme. Visitors and Relay team members will be able to sign up for the bone marrow registry between 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. as part of the National Bone Marrow Donor Program. There is no cost to those who register. The Luminaria Ceremony at 10 p.m. includes the lighting of hundreds of luminaria bags lining the track, each decorated in honor of someone who has battled cancer. John Smith and Maurice Britt will play bagpipes to signal a lap of silence as walkers read the names on the flickering bags. Luminaria bags may be purchased and decorated on the day of the Relay, and walkers of the silent lap may carry lit candles. All proceeds from the event benefit the American Cancer Society. Since 2001, the local Relay, which started in Barker and moved to Lockport, has raised more than $1,130,000. Walkers circle the track through the day and night in tribute to those with cancer, because cancer never sleeps. However, it is not strictly an athletic event and there is no required walking time. The community is invited to come and spend the day to enjoy the ceremonies and activities and to celebrate life. Bring a chair and join the fun. Food available for purchase at the event includes pulled pork sandwiches, salt potatoes, pizza, hot dogs, strawberry shortcake, snow cones, tacos-in-a-bag, chips, gourmet popcorn, slushies, cold drinks, water and candy. Bagels, doughnuts and juice will arrive at 3:30 a.m. There is no admission charge to attend the Relay For Life. Visitors should bring a chair or blanket to watch the entertainment and ceremonies. Those who want a 25th anniversary T-shirt and a bracelet to stay the night can register on site for $10. Guests under 18 must have signed parental permission. Co-chairs Marianne Currie Hall and Darlene Lutz want people who have no idea what the Relay For Life is all about, to come and experience it. Whether you come for an hour or stay for the whole event, the Relay will claim a piece of your heart, Lutz said. For more information, go to www.relayforlife.org/lockportny. This weekend, nearly 1,000 registered walkers and countless visitors will gather at the track at Emmet Belknap Elementary School to help celebrate the 25th anniversary of the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life. RELAY EVENTS Schedule of stage events
  • 2 P.M.: Newfane High School Jazz Band
  • 3:30 P.M.: Niagara County Youth Choir
  • 4 P.M.: Dyan Mulvey Dance Academy
  • 5 P.M.: Lockport Community Band
  • 5:45 P.M.: Warm Up with Christa Provenzano
  • 6 P.M.: Opening Ceremony: Lockport High School Show Choir
  • 6:308:30 P.M.: Bone marrow registration
  • 7 P.M.: Memphis Sun Band
  • 8:45 P.M.: Outrageous Bra Extravaganza Live Auction Red Hat Society
  • 9:15 P.M.: Memphis Sun returns
  • 10 P.M.: Luminaria ceremony: Bagpipes Maurice Britt and John Smith/Lockport Community Choir
  • LATE NIGHT: Karaoke (after movie)
  • 6 A.M.: Closing ceremony Schedule of activities
  • 2 P.M.: Petting zoo; dunk tank; scavenger hunt starts; Ms. Relay starts; bounce house; Kids Tent: face painting, nail art, crafts
  • 25:45 P.M.: Kan Jam registration (next to concession stand)
  • 7 P.M.: Water balloon toss; Kan Jam tournament begins
  • 7:30 P.M.: Lockport's Finest Tug O' War: firemen vs. policemen
  • 8 P.M.: Watermelon eating contest
  • 9:30 P.M.: Scavenger hunt deadline; Ms. Relay deadline
  • 11 P.M.: Winners of scavenger hunt and Ms. Relay announced
  • 11:30 P.M.: Movie Under the Stars: Surf's Up (bring your blankets and chairs)
BY JULIE OBERMILLER Source: http://www.lockportjournal.com/local/local_story_169005812.html

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