Relay for Life returns to Peconic Saturday

It’s almost time for the annual Relay for Life, an overnight fundraiser to benefit the American Cancer Society.

At least 40 teams are to gather at Jean Cochran Park on Peconic Lane in Peconic for the overnight event. It begins at 5 p.m. with a dinner for cancer survivors and their caregivers, provided by Claudio’s in Greenport, with the opening ceremony at 6 p.m.

Cancer survivor Steve Helinski will share his story before the survivor’s lap, where those who are fighting or have won their battle against cancer are invited to circle the track to acknowledge their own struggle and honor the other participants.

The caregivers lap follows and a coffee hour for the caregivers will be held at 8 p.m.

There will also be musical performances by The Days Beneath Us and Points East, zumba classes, and at 9:30, a luminaria service to remember those who have lost their battle against The disease. That portion of the event will begin with bagpiper Tim Kelly leading the walkers on a lap around the park’s track, left dark except for the candle-lit luminarias, each recognizing a cancer victim

At midnight, Relay for Life becomes a closed event and only those who have pre-registered will continue to walk through the night until breakfast.