Libby Relay for Life draws community support
<p>A purple "Hope" sign was on display at Riverfront Park during the Relay for Life event on Friday. (Bethany Rolfson/The Western News)</p>
Libby’s annual Relay for Life went on from 6 p.m. until midnight on Saturday at Riverfront Park.
On the schedule of events were raffles, laps, a barbecue, relays, live music, a cake walk, scavenger hunt, more live music and a luminaria ceremony.
This was not a typical Relay for Life. Taking advantage of the park’s location next to the river, participants sent luminaries floating down the river for the first time. Written on the luminaries were names of people who lost their fight with cancer.
“What’s unique about this [Relay for Life] is the location,” Gary Offerdahl, community manager for Relay for Life, said. Offerdahl also manages the Relay for Life events in Sanders, Flathead and Lake counties.
“I think it’s a better feeling, it gives a community feeling rather than a track meet,” Offerdahl said. “It’s much more conducive to talking with people.”
According to the website, 10 teams and 39 participants raised $3,916 prior to the event. A total dollar amount after the event has not yet been reported.