With changes, ‘Relay For Life’ moves to marina

This year’s event will be July 9, 4-10 p.m. at the Hood River Marina green, and comes with a theme — carnival. In addition to the usual silent auction, team tents will offer carnival game activities including bean bag toss, wheel of fortune, pick a sucker, dunk tank, dart toss, prize walk, and loteria.

Anyone may come to the carnival, enjoy as many games as they want, and choose from all the other fun activities: buy a meal, get their hair cut for the cause, bid in the silent auction, hear some music, or cheer on Mr. Relay contestants.

The change to the carnival theme is partly in response to a significant drop in participation in recent years. “We’re excited to try something new, in hopes it reinvigorates community support of the event,” said Relay committee member Tony White. “We hope it gains momentum to where we get increased community participation going forward.” Whether or not the event would return to the standard relay format “is up to the community, how many people get involved and what they want,” White said.

“Fields of May” will play on the lawns as part of the fun; the local band helps kick things off at 4 p.m. following the opening ceremonies. Throughout the evening, DJRon will spin tunes and make announcements.

Survivor ceremony starts at 5 p.m., with a guest speaker and survivor walk, followed by the caregiver walk. Teams will be introduced at 6 p.m., followed by the survivor dinner. At 6:50 p.m., River City Jazz will perform, and Mr. Relay gets underway at 7 p.m., followed by White Salmon Jazz Band at 8 p.m., Also planned: hair cutting from 7-8, with shorn locks used as wigs for those undergoing cancer treatment, and line dancing and Zumba at 9 p.m. Food and beverages will be available for purchase.

The relay winds down at 10 p.m. with the luminaria ceremony and closing.