Relay for Life marches on Foster Park

Written on 09/05/2024
Patrick Munsey


Annual fundraiser offers carnival atmosphere, celebrating cancer survivors

This article is brought to you by the Committee to Elect Mike Katcher.



The Walk of Excellence in Foster Park is going to see heavy foot traffic on Sept. 14. That is when hundreds of cancer survivors, their friends and family, and people remembering those who succumbed to the disease will gather to walk in the Relay for Life.

This year’s iteration will truly feel like a celebration, with a carnival atmosphere, live music, vendors, contests and raffles, and much more. And it all takes place in a new location at a new time. The organizers chose Foster Park this year after spending many years at Kokomo High School’s football stadium. And they opted for September instead of June.

“It was time to start fresh,” said organizer Penny Ferguson. “We chose the month of September, because it seemed like June was always tornado weather. We needed a change.”

The event begins at 11 a.m. with the opening ceremony, which will feature Pastor Mark Bishop giving the opening prayer. The Survivors Lap will follow. The Military Rites Honor Guard of VFW Post 1152 will lead the procession along with oncologist Dr. Annette Moore.



Vendors, teams, and volunteers are asked to arrive at 9 a.m. to set up for the event. With 50 different vendors and 21 walking teams with home bases to erect, there will be a lot of commotion that needs to take place before the walk begins.

The Relay will be packed with activity. Deejay Tim Edwards will provide music during the first hour of the walk, while official Relay for Life clown James Kidwell creates balloon art for kids young and old. There will be face painting and a bounce house as well, adding to the carnival feel.

Luminarias will go on sale at the beginning of the event, courtesy of the Vicki’s Victory Relay team. For $10 people may purchase and personalize the bags and candles for display along the walking trail.



Sign up for the first Kelly Humbert Pie Eating Contest also will begin at 11 a.m., courtesy of the Circle is Complete Relay team, in honor of Misha Huffman. Registration for the event is $5, and the contest will commence at 5 p.m. Ferguson extended a special thanks to Moore’s Pie Shop for donating the pies to be eaten in the contest.

There will be a silent auction and a raffle taking place throughout the event’s duration. The raffle, in particular, is something Ferguson believes those attending won’t want to miss.

“It’s called ‘Life is Good,’” Ferguson explained. “It's a beach product, and we included a beach umbrella, a beach chair, a t-shirt, a hat, cups and mugs, and sand toys with a basket. The package is worth $350. Raffle tickets are $20, and all proceeds will go to Relay for Life.”



For those who want more physical activity than walking the trail, there will be pickleball demonstrations at the tennis courts, and there will be a cornhole competition. If testing intestinal fortitude is more up the alley of some participants, the Relay will be selling a special concoction of Dr. Ashburn’s hot sauce for $6.



Live music begins at noon with pianist Ben Weitz on stage. Classic rock band Lineage, fronted by Gary Rhum, will perform at 3 p.m., followed by Tortured Poets – a Taylor Swift tribute act – at 4 p.m. Singer Noah Aldridge takes the stage at 7 p.m., performing an acoustic set. Steven Guy closes out the live music with a tribute to Elvis at 8 p.m.

There are plenty of other activities participants will enjoy. “Voices of Our Survivors” takes place at 1 p.m., featuring cancer survivors telling their stories. There will be yoga instruction at 1:30 p.m.

Relay participants will witness mortal combat as The Empire of Chivalry and Steel starts swinging swords. The medieval re-enactors will put on demonstrations at 2 p.m. and again at 6 p.m.



The walking teams will have a chance to show off their speed with the Road to Recovery Team Race, which takes place at 5:30 p.m. And the event will wrap up with the last lap and luminaria ceremony at 9 p.m.

This year’s fundraising goal is $40,000. People will be able to donate at the event. Relay for Life of Howard County is presented by Community Health Network and the MD Anderson Cancer Center. Relay organizers express their gratitude to the sponsors and Dr. Moore for her participation in the survivor walk.



The Relay for Life is still accepting vendors, teams, and volunteers. To get involved, or for additional information, contact Sherri Johnson at sjohnson@syndicatesales.com or by calling 765-457-7277.