Relay For Life Luminaria Decorating Ideas

As stadium events remain dark, Rochester Public Schools' Relay For Life committee hopes to shed a little light on the fight against cancer.

In lieu of the normal mass walk, Mayo High School stadium will host a walk-through Relay For Life luminaria event, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

For $10, any attendee can purchase a luminaria, or small paper-bag lantern, to decorate and place on the Mayo track. The lanterns will light up as glow sticks are placed inside, and are meant to house messages of remembrance and hope. Attendees will enter through one side of the stadium and exit on the other, following social-distancing and mask-wearing protocols.

Photo taken at previous Relay For Life event, contributed by Rochester Public Schools committee

The funds raised will benefit the American Cancer Society.

COVID-19 put the usual crowded walk on hold this year, said Margaret Pieters, a member of the Rochester Public Schools Relay For Life Committee. Fortunately, the luminarias have a long history.

"It's been something that's been used at Relay For Life events for a really long time," she said. "People can decorate them with messages for those they've lost to cancer, people who are battling cancer — some people just draw rainbows and smiley faces — it's a creative thing."

Although Relay events are frequented by people with a personal connection to the fight against cancer, Pieters said anyone is welcome to attend — particularly as COVID "threw a wrench in the plans" to raise significant funds for the American Cancer Society.

For more news on Rochester's Relay For Life, follow the American Cancer Society on Facebook (www.facebook.com/RelayForLife) or Twitter (twitter.com/relayforlife).