By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post

This Friday’s Ellis County Relay for Life will be in a new location at the Downtown Pavilion.

10th Street will be closed to traffic from Main Street east to Oak Street to give participants plenty of room to mingle and visit.

Luminaries will outline the walking path.

The event runs 7 p.m. to midnight. The survivor’s lap will begin at 7:30 p.m. after a welcome and opening ceremonies. Brenda Meder, director of the Hays Arts Council, will emcee the event.

Luminaries will be lit about 9:30 p.m.

Light up the Bricks T-shirts will be available for purchase. Massages from FHSU/H2O massage students will be available for freewill donations.

Relay for Life has raised money for the American Cancer Society since 1999. Donations pay for research, education, transportation, wigs and lodging through Hope Lodges across the country.

This year’s local goal is $35,000.

Lonny Claycamp, Relay volunteer, has been battling bone cancer for 10 years. When Claycamp and his wife can’t get into a Hope Lodge when Lonny has to travel to New York for treatment, the bills add up quickly. Their last trip for treatment cost about $6,000.

The Relay is open to the public, so if you happen to be downtown Friday night and wish to participate, you are welcome.

Donations can still be made on the night of the event or online by going to the Relay for Life website.

Luminaries in honor or memory of someone who has had cancer are $10.