The ceremony will begin on the Auburn side of the Longley Bridge.

AUBURN – The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial will begin at 7:30 p.m. May 16 at the small park located on the Auburn side of the Longley Bridge. Linked arm-in-arm, organizers hope to line the length of the Longley Bridge, joining more than 3,000 communities in more than 83 countries.

A brief “naming ceremony” will begin at 7:30 p.m., at which time the names of those who have died of HIV/AIDS, or those currently infected and affected by HIV/AIDS will be called out by those gathered. Following the naming ceremony, participants will line the bridge and begin lighting candles. Everyone is encouraged to bring a candle to hold. Limited amounts of candles will be available at the event.

Following the brief ceremony, participants are invited to tour and enjoy refreshments at Western Maine Community Action’s Tri-County Health Services/STD Clinic located a block away on the Auburn side of the bridge.

Locally, the Candlelight Memorial is being sponsored by PreventionWorks Harm Reduction Service, Western Maine Community Action’s Tri-County Health Services/STD Clinic, and New Beginnings.

For more information or to volunteer to help staff the event, phone Rich Rossiter at PreventionWorks Harm Reduction Services at 786-4697.