By GARRETT SAGER
Hays Post
For the second straight year, the Ellis County Relay for Life will be held on the Fort Hays State University campus inside Gross Memorial Coliseum, from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22.
“It works better at the coliseum, because because we don’t have to worry about the weather with it being inside,” Diana Staley said.
Relay for Life celebrates cancer survivors and raises money for research for the cure.
This year’s event is full of firsts as attendance numbers have dropped, according to Staley. So, for the first time, vendors will be present at the location along with the Hays Fire Department.
“Attendance has been dropping, so we wanted to give people a chance to do some shopping in an attempt to bring more people in,” she said.
To reel in businesses, the Ellis County Relay for Life was promoted during the Home Based Business Fair on Oct. 1 and on various social media sites.
List of vendors that will be present:
- Wild Feather Crafting
- Avon
- Premier Jewelry
- It Works/Paparazzi
- Lularoe
- Nex-Tech Wireless
- K&L Kreations
- Roman & Fields/Pampered Chef
- Usborne Books
- Young Living Essential Oils
- FHSU Nursing
- Scentsy
- Ulrich’s Crafts
- A Beautiful You
- Thirty-One Gifts
- Robert Alvarez Wood Works
- Sassy Sam’s
- Level/Thrive
- Norwex
- Memory Lockets by Erika, Rodan, and Fields
- Personalize it by Rhiannon
The Hays Fire Department is present this year for the first time to appeal to a younger audience.
“The younger generation is our future to keep this going,” Staley said.
The Hays Fire Department will be on site from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
A raffle booth will be set up as the event begins. Raffle tickets are $1 each or six for $5. Several items and gift baskets will be available to bid on — and winners need not be present to win.
Aside from the raffle drawings, an auction will also be taking place for a basketball goal, which was donated by the Meehan Family.
Taco Shop will be present at the beginning of the event, giving out free tacos while supplies last.
Once registration is complete, Deacon Dave Kisner will lead an opening prayer followed by the presentation of the flag and the national anthem, performed by Carson Klaus.
After Fort Hays State’ University President Dr. Mirta Martin’s opening remarks, the walking will begin.
The walking will start with the survivor lap followed by the caregiver lap.
The luminary ceremony walk is planned at 4 p.m. with games, entertainment, the auction and raffle drawings happening before.
All proceeds from the event go to cancer research.
“Relay for Life is important because the money raised goes to cancer research and, without the money, we can’t do the research for finding the cure,” Staley said.