Relay for Life fund-raising activities are this Saturday in Romulus

Romulus is holding its Relay for Life to benefit the Cancer Society this week end. There are no Relays for Life scheduled in the tri-community this year.
The free event that brings the community together for a day of family fun and fund-raising begins at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 3, at Romulus Senior Center Park, located behind the Senior Center at 36525 Bibbins.
The Romulus Relay for Life is the signature fundraiser of the American Cancer Society, a nationwide voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer.
Individuals and teams of friends and family members surround the track with games, goodies and items for sale to support the cancer society. Teams attempt to keep a walker on the track for 24 hours.
There are many things going on throughout the day, including:
• Relay opens with a salute to cancer survivors, who take the first lap while supporters cheer them on with a bubble salute. Survivors and their caregivers will be given the royal treatment with a free brunch, massages, family photos and more. Register at the event website, www.relayforlife.org/romulusmi , or on the day of the event at the purple tent.
• Participants and residents from the area are invited to stop by any time to take part in 24 hours of themed laps, such as the Trick or Treat Lap at 5 p.m. or the Glow Lap at 10 p.m. Relay for Life Event Lead Shona Silvey-Baum invites the community to “support the teams by taking a few laps around the track for them any time night or day.”
• Hometown celebrity Charlie Newhart of Romulus will be among the participants. Newhart is a Romulus High School graduate, a successful actor/comedian and a cancer survivor. He lives with his family in Los Angeles. He filmed a Relay for Life promotional message on YouTube that is linked on the event Facebook page, “Relay for Life of Romulus.”
• Former Romulus band teacher Mark Fernandez will support the hometown when he brings his talent and his band Tequila Mockingbirds to entertain on stage from 4 to 6 p.m.
• One of the most moving parts of the 24-hour event is the Luminaria lap, which honors and supports loved ones affected by cancer. A bagpipe player begins the profound ceremony at dusk as participants light up the track with special candles in bags and remember why they fight cancer. Luminaria can be purchased on the website or from any Romulus Relayer.
• Romulus Mayor LeRoy D. Burcroff will close the event at 9 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 4. During closing ceremonies, members of Boy Scout Pack 872 will provide a pancake breakfast.
For more information, visit the website www.relayforlife.org/romulusmi or the event Facebook page Relay for Life of Romulus or text event leader Shona Silvey-Baum at (734) 754-3823.