The Relay for Life For Tamaqua Area and Surrounding Communities is coming back to the Tamaqua Area School District Sports Stadium today (Friday, June 20, 2014) after being held three years at the Hometown Farmers Market and two years at the Panther Valley Stadium. It is scheduled from 2 PM today (Friday, June 20) to 2 PM tomorrow (Saturday, June 21).
This year’s Relay chair, Ilyse Hampton, an American Cancer Society Relay For Life specialist, is encouraging area residents, businesses or organizations to start a relay team or get involved. Hampton added that, since its start, Tamaqua Relay has raised a total of over $1 million.
“Everyone is encouraged to stop and enjoy the many events,” said Matt Moyer, said assistant chairman Matt Moyer . “It doesn’t cost anything to watch!”
He added that anybody is also welcome to walk as an individual or to join any of the teams at the stadium.

Schedule of events are:

FRIDAY:
– 2 PM: Soft Opening/Walkers Start.
– 4 PM: Opening Ceremony
– 6 PM: Parade of Teams.
– 7 PM: Survivor Ceremony.
– 7:30 PM: Survivor Lap.
– 9 PM: Luminary Ceremony.
– 11 PM: Ms. Relay.
– 12 AM: Midnight Poker Lap.

SATURDAY:
6 AM: Pie Eating Contest (whipped cream).
10 AM: Fight Back Program.
11 AM: Frozen T-Shirt Contest.
1:15 PM: Closing Lap.
1:30 PM: Butterfly Release & Closing Ceremony.

Other attractions include basket raffle, bake sales, games, music and so on. Mustang raffle tickets will also be for sale.
Entertainment is donated by DJ Mixx, 3 AM, and numerous others.

In 1993, the Mahoning Valley Farmers Market in Lehighton served as the venue for the first annual Tamaqua Area Relay for Life, with proceeding activities taking place at the Tamaqua stadium.

Click HERE to view a prior TamaquaArea.com story announcing this year’s local Relay For Life.