Several years ago, Plant City’s Relay for Life was ranked third in the state out of hundreds. Last year, it slipped to the 11th spot. But this year, organiz- ers are planning to reclaim its fame.
For the April 10 event, new activities and a morning-after 5K have been planned to el- evate the competition.
“I’m really excited this year because there are so many
eams, so many participants this year,” Linda Herman, event chair, said. “I think it’s going to be one of our biggest Relays.”
Headlining this year is entertainer Cliff Brown, of Plant City-based Clemons Road. He will be playing after Luminaria to uplift spirits and inspire the fight.
“The fact that he’s going to come, he’s a Plant City fellow, it’s great,” Herman said.
Also brand new is the team Sole Sisters 5K. Sisters Angie Rollyson and Autumn Parrish were honorary survivors in 2013. They found out they both had cancer around the same time. And a day after Parrish’s diagnosis, they discovered their grandmother, Martha Hodge, also had cancer. Since then, the duo has destroyed their illness and are on a mission to help others do the same.
In previous years, they held the Sole Sisters 5K in Walden Lake before the night of Relay for Life. This year, they will host the 5K April 11, the morning after the bulk of the Relay festivities. Those who stayed up all night to walk the track are welcome to push themselves a little harder and join the 5K. But the 5K is aimed at getting new participants involved in Relay for Life.
Registration is $25 and can be done online or the day of the 5K, before 8 a.m.
“We’re so excited about the 5K,” Herman said. “It’s going to bring a whole new group of people in that morning.”
Returning this year after a several-year hiatus are two events: Mr. Relay and the Road to Recovery Race.
Mr. Relay is a men’s pageant, where contestants goof around on stage and prance around in heels and dresses. For the past couple years, a talent show has taken its place. But its back by popular demand.
The Road to Recovery Race is both fun and symbolic. Participants make a cardboard cutout of a car and race around the track. There is both a “driver” and a cancer patient in the cardboard car. The event serves to raise awareness about one of the American Cancer Society’s patient-help programs. If a patient can’t make it to an appointment, ACS will send a driver to come pick them up.
“Different participants see Relay as different things,” Herman said. “Some say Luminaria, some people say it’s the raising of money. But what is really special about ACS is that we have programs for (patients) … We’re with them throughout the process.”
The superhero-themed Relay will bring back all its fun games, booths and food, as well, all centered around the Plant City High School football field. The event starts at 6 p.m. Friday, April 10, and goes on all night until 12 p.m. Saturday, April 11.
Relay for Life
When: 6 p.m. April 10 to 12 p.m. April 11
Where: Plant City High School football field, 1 Raider Place
Info: main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/ RFLCY15FL?pg= entry&fr_id=63575
Sole Sisters 5K
When: 8 a.m. April 11
Where: Plant City High School football field, 1 Raider Place
Info: facebook.com/SoleSisters.PC?fref=nf
Schedule:
4 p.m. Registration begins
6 p.m. Opening Ceremony/Survivor Lap
6:30 p.m. Walking begins/Pennent Contest
7 p.m. Team Spirit Lap
7:30 p.m. Hat Contest
8 p.m. In Memory of Gordy Klatt Lap/ Road to Recovery Race
9 p.m. Luminaria Service
10 p.m. 80s Video Game Lap/Cliff Brown performance
11 p.m. Purple Lap/Mr. Relay Pageant
12 p.m. Prom Dress Lap/Zumba
1 a.m. Three-Legged Lap
1:30 a.m. Musical Chairs
2 a.m. Decorated Baby Stroller Lap
2:30 a.m. Scavenger Hunt
3 a.m. Hula Hoop Lap
4 p.m. Pajama Lap
5 a.m. Camouflage Lap
6:30 Crazy Hair Lap/Registration for 5K
7 a.m. Cheeseball Toss
7:30 a.m. 80s Dress Lap
8 a.m. 5K
8:30 a.m. Pirate Lap
9 a.m. Water Balloon Toss
9:30 a.m. Superhero Lap
10 a.m. Super Hero Candy Ball Game
11 a.m. School Chorus/Closing Words/Victory Lap
