About 75 people participated in this year’s Relay for Life, held Saturday at the Tamaqua Area High School stadium.

The event benefits the Carbon-Tamaqua Chapter of the American Cancer Society.

There were walkers from age 5 to people in their 80s doing laps around the track of the stadium. The youngest participant was 1-year-old Bryson Huber of Northampton, pushed in a stroller by her father. She is the granddaughter of Relay for Life chairperson Pat Walker.

Among the participants was a group of over a dozen walkers wearing matching pink shirts with a heart and the inscription “Connie’s Angels.”

They were marching in memory of Connie Kistler of Lehighton, who died in July 2023 of metastatic breast cancer.

Heading the group was Connie’s daughter, Teresa Fowler of Lancaster. Marchers were from various communities.

In addition, they had a cellphone, video connection to Fowler’s son in the Chicago area, who with others was participating in a Relay for Life there while wearing Connie’s Angles shirts. “They got shirts and are all part of our group,” Fowler said.

This is Walker’s second year as chairperson. She previously chaired the Lower Carbon Relay for Life for a number of years. When that disbanded, she was approached by Joe Krushinksy and Kathy Lengyl of the Carbon-Tamaqua Chapter.

Last year’s Relay for Life was held despite pouring rain. Forecasters had a similar prediction this year but fortunately no rain fell on the event.

Sherri-Lynn Romanick, a volunteer with Relay for Life, said, “I’m glad the weather held up for us. It was calling for thunder and lightning storms.”

Despite this, dozens still turned out for the event. “It’s all about the community aspect,” she said. “We have faces here that are new, which is good, and it’s great to see the faces we’ve gotten to know.”

The first lap of the walk featured two bagpipe players wearing authentic Scottish kilts. Christine Palmer of Nesquehoning and Rebecca Krock of Drums played the pipes during the entire encirclement.

Romanchick’s 5-year-old daughter, Michaela, made several trips around the athletic field. She has been at every Relay for Life since she was born.

The band Hatter volunteered its services, playing music during the event. This is the third year for Hatter at Relay for Life.

Music was also provided by Polka Joe Manjack from the WMGH radio station.

The highlight of the evening was a luminary service during which luminaries along the track was placed and lit.

The service featured remarks by two-time cancer survivor Alexis Jones, a recent Tamaqua High School graduate. Jones survived both child and adult ovarian cancers.

The bagpipers played an emotional rendition of the hymn “Amazing Grace.”

Pennsylvania Miss Amazing Junior Queen Riley Bauer and local musician Jason DeMarco also participated.

A Chinese auction accompanied the Relay for Life.

Refreshments were available.