The American Cancer Society’s Festival of Hope is Friday in Oak Ridge.
It’s a community festival, and Anderson County residents are invited, a press release said. The Festival of Hope will be near the pavilion at Melton Lake Park in Oak Ridge on Friday.
It is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. with opening ceremonies and a cancer survivor recognition. Area cancer survivors will be honored individually before they take a group victory lap while being cheered on by their family, friends, and the public, the press release said. All area cancer survivors are invited to participate and may start registering as early as 5 p.m.
After opening ceremonies, the fun will then begin with games and entertainment for children and adults, the press release said. Activities will include bounce houses and various children’s activities and games. There will be a silent auction during the event. The Oak Ridge Veterinary team led by Dr. Kristin Novinger will host a corn hole tournament, the press release said. Various teams participating in the event will be selling a variety of foods, including tacos, barbecue, hot dogs/chili, sweet treats, and much more.
Entertainment at the event will include the band 110 in The Shade performing at 6:30 p.m. and Hayden Bright performing at 8. This will lead into the luminaria ceremony at 9 p.m., when hundreds of luminaria bags will be lit in the dark as those people who have lost their lives to cancer are remembered and survivors are honored. Luminaria bags will be available for purchase at the event. Closing ceremonies will take place at 9:45 p.m.
Festival of Hope and Relay For Life events are held in more than 6,100 communities nationwide and 27 countries. It is the world’s largest fundraising event to fight every cancer in every community, the press release said. The event brings together friends, families, businesses, schools, and faith-based groups, all aimed at furthering the efforts of the American Cancer Society to save lives by helping people stay well, get well, and by finding cures, the press release said. Relay For Life draws attention to the progress being made by the American Cancer Society, and the work yet to be done.
“Everyone is invited to attend and enjoy the entertainment, food, and activities,” the press release said. “This is a great way to show your support for anyone who has survived their battle with cancer, to remember someone you have lost to cancer, and to fight back by helping raise money for research so hopefully you or a family member won’t be the next one diagnosed with this terrible disease.”
Event sponsors include: Powell Clinch Utility District, Clinton Physical Therapy Center, Centrus, PCM/Professional Case Management, Mortgage Investors Group, and WATE TV. For more information, call Kelly Lenz at (865) 457-1649 or send an email to cptcklenz@aol.com. You may also visit the event website at relayforlife.org/andersontn.
More information will be added as it becomes available.
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