Rain did nothing to deter the Bethel Relay for Life walkers, who turned up in droves today to help stomp out cancer.
More than 200 people showed up at the town's Relay for Life HQ -- in front of Bethel's municipal center -- armed with walking shoes, rain gear and water bottles. Many are still walking right now, into the wee hours of the morning.
Bethel's Pink Ladies team of 15 women raised the most, at $14,833.20, and counting. For Shani Burke Specht, 2011 marked her eighth year of participation. She was this year's team captain, accompanied by Ronni Allen, Catherine Bach, Lisa Breeland, Darlene Butcher, Mary Beth Cooke, Barbara Davis, Marla Duffy, Kathleen Eggert, Tamara Giordano, Connie Hemphill, Debbie Hermansen, Nancy Polistena, Nancy Scofield and Carol AnnViebrock.
The runners up were Bethel Health Care, raising $8066.74 so far, and the BI Bees team, bringing in $7400 as of this evening. All together, Fifty-one Bethel teams have raised over $69,000.
The gates opened at 2 p.m. Saturday afternoon for the kids mini relay, until 3:30 p.m. Opening ceremony commenced at 4 p.m., followed by a top chef competition, parade of teams, a Zumba dance session and various other activities. A caregiver recognition came later in the evening, as well as a luminaria ceremony, in which each paper lantern was dedicated to someone touched by cancer . A Catholic Mass was available at 10 p.m. Walkers partook in midnight snacks on the heels of the Miss Relay Pageant. The wee hours brought a dodgeball tournament fundraiser, Pro Access black lite party, scavenger hunt and themed lap competition. Before their final lap at 8 a.m. Sunday morning, walkers will do yoga, have a sunrise worship and a closing ceremony.
