Relay for Life Organizers Plan to Paint Downtown Farmington Purple

Volunteers will be painting the town purple to raise awareness for this year's Relay for Life, an American Cancer Society fundraiser held Saturday, May 19 and Sunday, May 20 at in Farmington.

Teams raise funds by walking throughout the day and night and hosting fundraising sales, contests and other activities in booths during the event. Shannon Trent, an event organizer, said volunteers are looking forward to decorating downtown with ribbons. 

"We're hoping since we're going to 'paint the town purple' that we'll draw more interest," Trent said. "We're hoping to get more people down to the park."

This year's theme is "Survivor", after the long-running television series. Trent said each team will decorate a "spirit stick". 

Relay for Life volunteers will provide lunch, short massages and goodie bags for cancer survivors and caregivers. Survivors will also receive t-shirts, a new offering this year.

Also new, DJ Jim Martin will be onsite through the weekend. State Rep. Vicki Barnett (D-37th District) will perform the National Anthem to kick off the event at 10 a.m. May 19. Also performing throughout the event will be the Farmington Drum Line, Janeen Hula Dancers, Harrison Dance Company and Earth Angels, among others. 

During a special ceremony at around 9:30 p.m. Saturday, luminarias will light the track as teams walk a silent lap in memory of those who have lost their battles with cancer. 

At 7:30 a.m. Sunday, the will host a pancake breakfast open to the community, with all proceeds benefiting the American Cancer Society. For a $5 minimum donation, you'll get three pancakes and three sausages; coffee and water are available for a $1 donation. 

Relay for Life closes with a ceremony at 9:30 a.m. Sunday. 

For more information, contact Trent at Shannon.Trent@rehau.com.