Tonight’s Festus Relay for Life will go on as planned – almost – given the rainy forecast.
The event has been moved from the Festus School District’s track complex inside to the Festus Elementary School multipurpose room. It has been shortened from its traditional 12-hour schedule to six hours.
“We are still having it,” said Lori Fechter, chairwoman of the event. “We will be indoors from 6 p.m. to midnight (May 3).”
She said the weather forecast calls for rain throughout the evening and overnight. “The weather map is green all across Missouri,” she said.
So organizers decided to move the event inside the school.
“There is a little track area in there, and we will be walking,” she said. “But I have a feeling we won’t have very many people.”
She said all the ceremonies associated with the event, including the survivor’s lap and the luminaria ceremony will be held. “We will have the bags, but they won’t be lit. We will still read all the names,” Fechter said.
Team members, cancer survivors and other guest are asked to follow signs to find the Relay entrance to the building, 1500 Mid-Meadow Lane.
The Festus Relay for Life benefits the American Cancer Society for cancer research and services for cancer patients. As of Friday afternoon, the event had 36 teams and 321 participants had raised $34,295 toward the relay goal of $80,000.
Typically, teams camp out all night and team walk around the track to raise money. A closing ceremony had been scheduled at 6 a.m.
To donate, go to relayforlife.org/festusmo or call Fechter at 636-933-1855.
-- Peggy Scott
