Relay for Life is coming to the Blue Fox Drive-in Theater in Oak Harbor.
The event is part of an ongoing, global campaign to raise funds for the American Cancer Society. The nonprofit organization uses the funds for cancer research, support for cancer patients and cancer prevention.
The Blue Fox event is one of just four in this part of the state and will include representation from all of Whidbey Island, Friday Harbor, Anacortes and La Conner. Opening ceremonies for the event begin at 6 p.m. Sept. 10.
For safety reasons, there will not be an ongoing relay walk at the drive-in as there has been at past Relay for Life events, but team members have been participating in sponsored day hikes around Whidbey and Fidalgo islands since May.
At the community event, relay teams will have fundraisers going on in the parking lot, and various games and activities will be held throughout the night. The drive-in is showing a triple feature of “Captain Marvel,” “Bucket List” and “Creed” and will be donating a percentage of the concession, arcade and go-kart proceeds to Relay for Life.
“This should be a really fun night for everyone as well as an excellent opportunity to raise money for those diagnosed with cancer and cancer research,” said event assistant chair Leandra Reuble.
After the first movie, the luminaria ceremony will take place. Luminaria are homemade paper lanterns that individuals can dedicate to honor loved ones affected by cancer. This ceremony is a staple of Relay for Life events.
“This is about community and coming together to remember that COVID is not the only thing we need to be fighting; people are still diagnosed with cancer every day,” Reuble said.