Moniteau County Relay for Life returns to fairgrounds for 2022

Cancer survivors begin their lap around the Moniteau County Fairgrounds track June 14, 2019, at the Moniteau County Relay for Life.
Cancer survivors begin their lap around the Moniteau County Fairgrounds track June 14, 2019, at the Moniteau County Relay for Life.

The Moniteau County Relay for Life returns to the county fairgrounds.

On Friday, organizers for the Moniteau County Relay for Life will host their annual event supporting those affected by cancer. Attendees will participate at the Moniteau County Fairgrounds in California as they walk and run to fundraise for cancer research.

The relay will occur 6 to 10 p.m., and will have various activities for all community members to engage in.

The Moniteau County Relay for Life invites everyone to walk or run, however, it will also offer activities for individuals looking to observe or support participants.

Organizers will host their "Come Walk with Us" event during the relay, which will include concessions, music from a disc jockey, and a silent auction. The day will close with a luminaria ceremony and recognition of cancer survivors.

"We remember those who have fought the disease and lost their battle and we honor those who have fought and survived," event leadership team member Julie Gates said. "Our first relay began in 2001. Moniteau County has been so supportive of Relay for over 20 years. The committee and teams could not be successful if it wasn't for the amazing community we live in."

She explained the relay raised more than $22,000 last year in Jamestown. Gates said she and her team hope funds for the 2022 Moniteau County Relay for Life will exceed previous amounts as they return to traditional services.

Many institutions and annual events had to be altered to keep people safe from the coronavirus pandemic. For the past two years, the relay modified its usual business. In 2021, organizers changed the location to the Jamestown Community Building parking lot and the Jamestown School parking lot for social distancing. They also created a parade through town and a drive-thru Luminaria slideshow for people not participating in the relay.

This year, the event will have a special lap for survivors and an (in-person) luminaria ceremony to honor those who battled cancer.

Gates said The Moniteau County Relay for Life has many teams passionate about fundraising and who help the organization to reach its goals. The event is a staple of the area and has played a significant role in community charity for more than two decades.

The organization started its "Paint the Town Purple" campaign on Monday. Relay organizers ask homes and businesses to decorate their establishments purple in honor of cancer patients and the upcoming event. The campaign hopes to see residents brighten their homes with the color as they prepare for the main event on Friday.

"Relay For Life is a special event in Moniteau County and we are so lucky to live in such a supportive community," Gates said. "We will have great food this year...burgers, walking tacos, sweet treats, to name a few. We'll have a DJ throughout the night...that we hope keeps people energized while they walk the track. Relay For Life is all about a community that 'takes up the fight'. It's always so amazing to see the community come out to support the event."