The Relay for Life tradition continues for the Anthracite region with a relay and luminaria service at Tamaqua High School Stadium on Sept. 23.

Gates open at 5 p.m. for on-site registration. Opening ceremonies follow at 6 p.m. and music by Hatter begins at 7 p.m. The Luminaria Service will be held at 8 p.m. with the closing ceremony at 9:30 p.m.

Other musical guests will be announced before the event.

Food and drink will be available for purchase, and a basket raffle will be held to benefit the Relay fundraising.

The Relay will feature the survivor and caregiver laps, parade of teams and all the camaraderie people have come to associate with the event during its nearly 30-year run in the area.

This year’s event will be chaired by a longtime Relay volunteer, Pat Walker. Walker is part of the family that owns Walker’s Tree Farm in Lehighton. She also works in customer service at Liberty Oil Company.

The public is invited to walk the oval of candles and bags paying tribute to many who have succumbed to cancer and those who continue to fight. The relay theme is “Celebrate! Remember. Fight Back!”

There is no admission charge or need to register in advance.

Walker says the Relay Committee is hopeful people will form teams to contribute.

“I hope people - families, friends, clubs - will think about forming teams of any size, or at least come and walk the track. I hope they will ask a few friends to donate in support of our life saving mission,” Walker said. “We plan to make the event fun and meaningful for everyone in the community, and we hope to make it a financial success for the American Cancer Society.”

Event details, downloadable registration forms and pledge sheets, can be found at www.CancerTelethon.org/walk.

Local entertainers offer live, heartfelt performances and everyone in attendance is offered a candle to carry around the track during the service.

“We just want people to come, show up - and show support for our survivors and remember those lost - by walking the oval,” said Donna Mullen, longtime Relay committee member. “When here, we hope people will consider buying a luminaria bag or two to place along the track.”

Mullen said the ceremony will begin with a survivor lap around the oval, followed by an invitation for all in attendance to join in walking the oval with hand-held candles.

Walker said the event is for the whole region including Hazleton, Tamaqua, Palmerton and points in between.

“So far, we’ve seen strongest support from the Lehighton and Tamaqua areas with teams and sponsorships,” she said.

To purchase one or more luminaria bags in advance of the event, visit www.cancertelethon.org/candles to create a luminaria in memory, honor or support of someone that has battled cancer as patient, survivor, caregiver, volunteer or donor.

To volunteer for the event, form a team or for Luminaria information, contact Walker at summygrl@yahoo.com or 484-629-2713.