With music in the air and a carnival atmosphere, the West End Relay for Life took to the track Friday night at the Pleasant Valley High School Stadium in Brodheadsville.

The event is held each year at this time to raise money for cancer research through the American Cancer Society, as well as to celebrate survivors, caregivers and remember those who were lost to cancer.

The gates opened at 4 p.m. with the opening ceremony at 5 p.m.

Cory McKeever, the lead organizer, said there were 11 teams this year, one from each of the grades at the high school, the elementary school and middle school, as well as community groups of families and friends. They had raised about $17,000 before the event started. She expected that number to go up quite a bit during the event.

“It’s a great cause. It’s a free event. The only thing people are paying for is if they want to eat. The games are free, the activities are free,” McKeever said.

McKeever explained that the event is open to the public to come in and enjoy for free. If they want to sponsor a team while they are there, then that is available as well.

McKeever said she has been involved with the Relay for Life for 20 years. And although the numbers of people participating dropped due to Covid, she is working hard to bring participation numbers back up.

Amy Wilusz, who helps with the organizing, encourages people to come out next year if they missed this one.

“I find it rewarding to be able to support anybody who is suffering or fundraising,” Wilusz said.

The event included a pie eating contest, cow chip bingo, three-legged race, frozen T-shirt competition, ice cream truck, face painting, basket raffle and a demonstration by Mountain Warriors Karate.

Madison Cerrone was dressed up in a cow costume for the cow chip bingo, which had real cows for the event.

“I will be going to support,” Cerrone said.

She volunteered to dress up to give back. “I just want to help raise money and support our community,” she said.

The cows, Cherry and Gable, actually belong to the family of West End Fair Junior Miss Isabella Haley, sophomore at Stroudsburg High School. She and the West End Fair Queen Abigail Smith, junior at Pocono Mountain East High School, were the judges for the cow chip bingo. Haley said it’s easy to judge. “We’ve been doing this for the fair for a long time,” she said about judging.

The girls said they’ve been busy this year in their rolls, but have enjoyed it. Smith said she has been involved with Relay for Life since she was little. Her grandmother had pancreatic cancer.

“We’re just excited to be here,” she said.

The Survivors Tent opened at 6:30 p.m. with the Survivors Reception. Food, drinks, a celebration cake and door prizes were on hand for survivors and caregivers or guests.

The Survivor Ceremony was held at 7:30 p.m. with a Celebration of Life lap at 7:30 p.m. and luminaria ceremony at 8:45 p.m. McKeever said the luminaries are lit for cancer survivors, those fighting cancer, those who have passed, and for the caregivers.