Bigfork Relay for Life changes it up to revitalize event

Bigfork’s Relay for Life is making some changes this year.

The changes will start a few days before the July 18 Relay, as purple balloons, ribbons and flags appear around Bigfork as part of “Paint the Town Purple,” to promote the event.

The major change however, is the time frame. Most Relay for Life events run from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., but this year’s event will end at midnight. The shortened event this year is a response to the lack of over-night attendance at last year’s Relay for Life.

Bigfork Relay for Life committee member Debbie Ingram said last year eight teams participated, raising $17,000. In its best year Bigfork had raised $83,000 for the American Cancer Society. “Bigfork used to have a huge relay,” Relay for Life organizer Brittany Quick said. “They were bringing in a lot of people. Now it’s dwindled down. Our focus this year is to bring the fun back into it.”

The event will begin at 6 p.m. July 18 at the Bigfork High School track, with a survivors lap and survivors dinner from BruMar Estates, Showthyme and Kravingz. It will be followed at 7 p.m. by a participants dinner donated by Harvest Foods and Subway.

Old Sap and the Old Chaps (Chris Kammerer, John Webster, Chad Leslie and Ned Coon) will provide live music from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

The luminaria ceremony will be around sunset, and will be followed by the closing ceremonies.

“That’s kind of the most reflective time,” Quick said, which honors cancer survivors and people who have passed. It reminds people why they are participating in the relay, Quick said.

At midnight there will be a pizza and ice cream social, drawings and prizes.

Ingram hopes the shortened event will help revitalize people for next year, and keep the Bigfork Relay for Life going.

She has been involved with the event since it came to Bigfork 10 years ago, and feels it’s an important cause.

“Cancer doesn’t give a … who you are,” she said. “It’s the most non-discriminating disease there is. It affects everybody. The American Cancer Society is making a difference. They are making strides in cancer, in research and cures.”

Pre-registered teams are asked to fundraise, and individuals are asked to come up with $100 to go towards cancer research and services for people fighting the disease.

Quick said many teams raise money throughout the year with car washes, golf tournaments, indoor markets, or whatever else they choose to do. Some will continue fundraising at the event. Ingram will be selling raffle tickets for her raffle of purple items she collects throughout the year, like plates, purses, beads and more.

Bethany Lutheran Church Pastor Christopher Miller is taking pledges for every lap he runs from 11 p.m. to midnight. Last year he raised $1,000. Anyone who wishes to pledge money for his run can contact the church at 837-4387.

“The point of it is really to celebrate all of the fundraising that they’ve done,” Quick said, and then to remember why you’re doing it — to find a cure for cancer, and to support the people who are battling cancer, or have survived it.

“We really want to recognize and show our appreciation for them,” Quick said.

The Bigfork Relay for Life is partnering with the Bigfork Food Pantry for a food drive. Non-perishable items can be dropped off at any of the four banks in Bigfork. The food will be used to hold down the luminarias during the ceremony, and then donated to the Food Pantry.

There are nine teams and 43 participants signed up for the Bigfork Relay for Life so far.

You can register or donate at bigforkrelay.com, or sign up at the event. Raffle tickets are available to win a $500 chartered boat trip courtesy of Flathead Lake Lodge and $300 towards dentistry from Larry Clayton.

Anyone interested in volunteering or purchasing raffle tickets, $5 each or five for $20, can contact Ingram at 885-7714.

“It’s going to be fun,” Ingram said. “It’s a great evening of entertainment.”