RUMFORD – Relay for Life, an American Cancer Society signature event, will take place Friday and Saturday, May 21-22, at Hosmer Field.

The event will begin at 4:30 p.m. with the survivor’s reception, followed at 5:30 p.m. with the opening ceremony led in prayer by Deacon Rod and a song by Tammy Burgess. Miss Stephanie’s dance class will perform at this time.

At 6 p.m. the survivors’ lap around the track will kick things off. Denise Hurd will play the the bagpipes while area firefighters and the Knights of Columbus will escort the survivors on the first lap.

Just before the survivors start their walk, their caregivers will place a medal on each individual signifying that the person is a cancer survivor.

At 6:20 p.m., there will be the presentation of the Shirley Comeau Memorial and the Courage Award followed by music from the E & I Band.

The Team Spirit Parade takes place at 7:30 p.m. All the teams parade around the track with their banners and props in celebration.

The luminary ceremony will be at 9:30 p.m. Luminaria are placed around the track and lighted to honor cancer survivors and the memories of loved ones who lost their battle to cancer.

After a blessing is given and a song is sung by Thea Dunn, the lights will be turned off as the names are read for the luminaria dedications.

Throughout the night and into the next day, the teams walk the track in memory or in honor of their loved ones.

New this year is children’s tent, which will be open Friday and Saturday with activities and 25-cent games. Sherry Milligan will host the tent on Friday; Debbie Dolloff and the Peru teachers will host it Saturday.

At 11 a.m. Saturday morning, the silent auction ends and the winners are announced. The close of the relay follows at 11:30 a.m.

All the proceeds of this event will stay in Oxford County to help those battling this disease.

For more information, people can contact Diane Mitchell at 364-8358, Peggy Briggette at 364-4611 or Ray Kautzman at 1-800-464-3102 press 3.