FORKS — Volunteers are on track to reach a $33,000 fundraising goal for Relay For Life, said the event chairwoman before this weekend’s event.
The Forks Relay For Life will begin at 3 p.m. today and continue until noon Saturday at the Forks High School track, 261 S. Spartan Ave.
The 17 teams, comprising 133 participants, have raised a little more than $31,000 so far, about $2,000 short of the goal, said Cindy Mesenbrink, event chairwoman.
Mesenbrink, a nine-year veteran of the Forks relay, said the challenge now is keeping the fundraising drive alive during the event.
“We’re on track to meet our goal,” Mesenbrink said.
“It’s just keeping our enthusiasm.”
Proceeds go to the American Cancer Society for cancer research.
‘Passports’ stamped
New this year, participants and visitors to the event will receive “passports” that they can get stamped at each of the booths set up for the relay.
In keeping with this year’s theme, “The Magic of Relay,” the passports are decorated with a magic carpet, Mesenbrink said.
They can be entered into raffles for myriad prizes throughout today and Saturday.
“It’s sort of a carnival affair, with lots of exciting things going on,” Mesenbrink said.
Mesenbrink and the team she co-leads, the Puddle Jumpers, are the top fundraisers this year, having brought in about $4,300 so far.
The next closest team, Forks Outfitters, has raised $3,329.
Overall, volunteers collected about $29,000 for last year’s relay.
The relay will feature a variety of games, musical performances and contests on both days.
Luminaria ceremony
Jess Henry, a 2012 Forks High School graduate, will lead the candle-lighted luminaria ceremony at 10 tonight, organizer Diane Edwards said.
Henry, who has been walking in the Forks relay since she was diagnosed with leukemia 10 years ago, will light the candles for the luminaria walk with an Olympic-themed torch and lead the procession.
Saturday’s 10:30 a.m. lap will honor former Forks High School teacher Scott Seaman, who taught math there for 30 years, Edwards said.
After physical therapy lessened the need for his electric wheelchair, Seaman, who has multiple sclerosis, will be able to walk the Saturday morning lap unaided.
“It has nothing to do with cancer, but it’s inspirational nonetheless,” Edwards said.
Here is the schedule for today and Saturday:
Today
■ 3 p.m. — Soft start (walking begins).
■ 4 p.m. — “Walk about Town.”
■ 5 p.m. — Dave Gedlund.
■ 6 p.m. — Opening ceremony; survivor lap.
■ 6:30 p.m. — Therapy Session Band.
■ 7:30 p.m. — Jimmy Hoffman Band.
■ 8 p.m. — Locks of Love haircuts.
■ 8:30 p.m. — Games.
■ 9 p.m. — Jimmy Hoffman Band.
■ 10 p.m. — Luminaria ceremony.
■ 10:30 p.m. — Wish lanterns.
■ 11 p.m. — Chuck DeOng.
Saturday
■ Midnight — Zoomba.
■ 1 a.m. — PJ and stuffed animal lap.
■ 6 a.m. — Wakeup.
■ 7 a.m. — Exercise session.
■ 8 a.m. — Hula hoop contest.
■ 9 a.m. — Games.
■ 10 a.m. — AG Band.
■ 10:30 a.m. — Scott Seaman’s lap.
■ 1 a.m. — Drawing for kayak and fire pit.
■ 11:30 a.m. — “Fight Back!” closing ceremony sponsorship recognition.
■ Noon — Last lap.
The Forks Relay For Life is the third on the North Olympic Peninsula.
The Sequim Relay For Life will be Aug. 10-11 at Sequim High School.
The Port Townsend event was July 27-28, and the Port Angeles event was July 8-9.
For more information, visit http://tinyurl.com/ctmdlrl.