Relay for Life: What You Need to Know

The 13th annual Relay for Life of the Greater Rochester Area begins at 9 a.m. Saturday at . It continues, for 24 hours, into Sunday morning and features nonstop events and entertainment.

The event is free and open to the public. Parking is available at the middle school and nearby . There are restrooms on site. Food and other items are available for purchase, so bring cash.

Here's a schedule of events:

9 a.m. Opening ceremony: Rochester Mayor Jeff Cuthbertson and Rochester Hills Mayor Bryan Barnett will help open the event. Evan Conover, a member of the state Honor Choir and recent graduate of Stoney Creek High School, will sing.

10 a.m. Flip Spot Gymnastic performance.

10:30 a.m. Cancer Cadets performance.

11 a.m. Group Therapy will perform.

11 a.m.-2 p.m. Children's parade lap and events: Magician Chris Clark, will be performing prior to the start of the children’s lap. After this fun lap, children are encouraged to visit the children’s area for games, crafts and other fun activities.

1 p.m. Smoke Stack Lightning will perform.

3-5 p.m. Get a massage: Chair massages will be available in the survivor tent for
survivors and caregivers courtesy of Christina Radowick and Rochester Hills Spine
Care.

2:30 p.m. Fight Back Ceremony: Led by Bob Grace and Dave Thompson, the ceremony symbolizes the emotional commitment to the fight against cancer.

3 p.m. Live Auction: The live auction, led by co-chair Sheryl Albert, will include items donated by our teams including a Ride with a Firefighter for a day plus lunch and a gift package from the Rochester Hills Fire Department, as well as a Bahamas cruise excursion and a Vegas vacation.

4 p.m. School of Rock will perform.

4-8 p.m. CPS-3 Study Enrollment: At this year’s Relay For Life of Greater Rochester, residents of our community will have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to enroll in the American Cancer Society’s third Cancer Prevention Study which seeks to help to better understand the factors that cause or prevent cancer. Individuals between the ages of 30 and 65 who have never been diagnosed with cancer and who are willing to make a long-term commitment to the study will be able to enroll during this time.

4:45 p.m. Country Line Dancing

6:15 p.m. Paul Becknell will perform an acoustic set.

6:45 p.m. Awareness Glove Lap: The Volkswagen Group of America team will host the “Glove Dance.” Everyone is encouraged to participate.

7 p.m.: Cancer Survivor Ceremony and Victory Lap: The ceremony will begin with Jill Jankowisk, a cancer two-time survivor, as a guest speaker for this year’s ceremony. Survivors and caregivers are invited to take a “victory lap” around the track celebrating their strength, courage and commitment. There will be a light snacks and refreshments available in the survivor tent for registered survivors and their caregivers.

8 p.m. Green Day cover band will perform.

9 p.m.: Luminaria Ceremony: To kick off the ceremony, Team “Rochester Pride” will be performing as luminaries light the path of the participants walk throughout the evening hours. Decorated with pictures, decorations and loved ones names. Honoring cancer survivors or in memory of those who have lost their battle with cancer. At dusk, the Luminaria are lit around the track and participants take a silent lap around the track. It is a powerful testimony to why we do Relay For Life.

6:30 a.m. Sunrise Service: The service will be led by the Rev. Jack Amick from St. Paul’s Methodist Church in Rochester.

8:30 a.m. Closing Ceremony: This celebrates the accomplishments, successes, and efforts of the committee, team captains, participants, donors and volunteers. Awards are presented to the winning teams and individuals and the grand total of money raised will be announced. The event comes to a close as everyone takes a final lap together in a proud moment for a “community taking up the fight

For more information, visit the event website at www.relayforlife.org/rochestermi