Relay for Life sparks community feeling

By David F. Rooney

Early Sunday morning Relay for Life organizer thought it might be a soggy event as a powerful rain storm lashed the city.

“Fortunately it did let up,” she said as she watched the event she loves unfold at Mountain View School.

Hundreds of people of all ages came out for the relay — 210 of them as members of the 12 teams registered for the event. The rest were family members and just plain folks out for a good time.

And it was a good time — exactly the kind of community-building exercise Revelstoke is known for.

Although an exact number has yet to be announced, Cheryl said this year’s relay raised over $45,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society.

Here are a few images of the event that I thought you might enjoy:

The 2013 Relay for Life was a wonderful exercise in community spirit with people like Maria Stagliano offering up free cake to passersby. David F. Rooney
The 2013 Relay for Life was a wonderful exercise in community spirit with people like Maria Stagliano offering up free cake to passersby. David F. Rooney
If you were seeing red there was nothing wrong with your eyes. The ladies of the Hospital Auxiliary not only wore red, but sported feather red deely-boppers, too. David F. Rooney photo
If you were seeing red there was nothing wrong with your eyes. The ladies of the Hospital Auxiliary not only wore red, but sported feather red deely-boppers, too. David F. Rooney photo
Kids had fun, too, in this inflatable fun house. David F. Rooney photo
Kids had fun, too, in this inflatable fun house. David F. Rooney photo
There was plenty of music, too. Much of it provided by Talent Show finalists like Madison Howard. David F. Rooney photo
There was plenty of music, too. Much of it provided by Talent Show finalists like Madison Howard. David F. Rooney photo
EZ Rock DJ Jeff Reisen introduces Talent Show finalist Kade Hansen. David F. Rooney photo
EZ Rock DJ Jeff Reisen introduces Talent Show finalist Kade Hansen. David F. Rooney photo
Young Talent Show finalist Paige Makarewicx sings for an appreciative crowd. David F. Rooney photo
Young Talent Show finalist Paige Makarewicx sings for an appreciative crowd. David F. Rooney photo
Drummer Garrett Cooper was the big winner in the Relay for Life Talent Show. He won $500. Jesse Bath and Morgan Toutant won $300 in second place and Kade Hansen came in third and was awarded $100. The Talent Show was so successful that Relay organizer Cheryl Fry — yes, that's her with the tinsel hair beside EZ rock DJ Jeff Reisen. David F. Rooney photo
Drummer Garrett Cooper was the big winner in the Relay for Life Talent Show. He won $500. Jesse Bath and Morgan Toutant won $300 in second place and Kade Hansen came in third and was awarded $100. The Talent Show was so successful that Relay organizer Cheryl Fry — yes, that’s her with the tinsel hair beside EZ rock DJ Jeff Reisen. David F. Rooney photo
Another fun event involved a close encounter with hair sylist Michelle Flynn's scissors and clippers. Karen Hansen had her very long locks cut off and donated them to the Canadian Cancer Society, which will have them woven into a wig. David F. Rooney photo
Another fun event involved a close encounter with hair sylist Michelle Flynn’s scissors and clippers. Karen Hansen had her very long locks cut off and donated them to the Canadian Cancer Society, which will have them woven into a wig. David F. Rooney photo
Next up was the fun-loving Jackie Goodman. David F. Rooney photo
Next up was the fun-loving Jackie Goodman. David F. Rooney photo
Cindy Delaronde went all the way and had her head shaved. David F. Rooney photo
Cindy Delaronde went all the way and had her head shaved. David F. Rooney photo
Six year-old Jack Johnson goes for the bean shave. David F. Rooney photo
Six year-old Jack Johnson goes for the bean shave. David F. Rooney photo
Michelle was a full-service stylist. Here, the Salon Safari stylist, trims back Stefan's beard as he holds his three year old son, Mattis. David F. Rooney photo
Michelle was a full-service stylist. Here, the Salon Safari stylist, trims back Stefan’s beard as he holds his three year old son, Mattis. David F. Rooney photo
Wayne Murray, always a good sport, gets shorn by Michelle. Wayne has been having his head shaved as a fund raiser for the last five years. David F. Rooney photo
Team Gloria’s Wayne Murray, always a good sport, gets shorn by Michelle. Wayne has been having his head shaved as a fund raiser for the last five years. David F. Rooney photo
Fresh from having her head shaved Cindy Delaronde decided that decorating her head would be fun. David F. Rooney photo
Fresh from having her head shaved Cindy Delaronde decided that decorating her head would be fun. David F. Rooney photo
By 8:30 pm things were starting to wind down at the Relay and volunteers put out and lit the traditional luminaries honouring loved ones who have succumbed to cancer. David F. Rooney photo
By 8:30 pm things were starting to wind down at the Relay and volunteers put out and lit the traditional luminaries honouring loved ones who have succumbed to cancer. David F. Rooney photo
As the last light drained from the western sky relayers made their last lap past the flickering luminaries. David F. Rooney photo
As the last light drained from the western sky relayers made their last lap past the flickering luminaries. David F. Rooney photo