Roosevelt Relay ready to roll

PORTALES — The Roosevelt County Fairgrounds will play host to numerous games and activities throughout today as the 2018 Relay for Life of Roosevelt County aims to raise money for cancer research.

“If anyone says there’s nothing going on in Portales (today), they’re wrong because we’ve got everything covered,” said Mark Clark, co-chair of the event leadership team for Relay for Life of Roosevelt County.

Clark said the activities, which run from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., include a sand volleyball tournament, a 42 tournament for dominoes players, tug of war, several local bands, dunking booths and more.

For those looking to get in some exercise, Clark said a circular track will be marked off at the fairgrounds for people to walk on and will include several different themed laps to keep things interesting and fun.

Clark said the highlight of the day will be the survivors celebration beginning at 5 p.m., which will include a meal, several speakers and recognition of this year’s honorary survivors with natives of each community in Roosevelt County from Portales to Pep.

“We try to get every one of our little communities involved,” Clark said.

The survivors celebration will begin with a lap around the track and will be followed by the luminaria ceremony, which Clark said will wrap up today’s festivities as special flags are lit in honor of those who have passed away from cancer.

Clark said a slideshow will feature the names and photos in honor of community members lost to cancer.

“That’s a pretty emotional time,” Clark said. “It pulls at your heart strings pretty hard.”

Co-chair Casey Peacock said the survivors celebration is for anyone who has battled cancer ranging from someone just diagnosed, those who are in the midst of treatment or people in remission.

Clark and Peacock said that Clovis will not be hosting a Relay for Life event this year, so people are invited to make the drive down US 70 to participate in the Portales activities.

Peacock said today’s events are important to her because like nearly everybody else in the world, she has loved ones who have been affected by cancer.

“Every one of us somehow or some way is impacted by cancer,” Peacock said. “I’ve had family and friends that have been impacted by cancer, co-workers, it’s just something very near and dear to my heart. This is a way for us to try to make a difference and try to help find a cure.”

Clark said all of the money raised today and at next week’s mushball tournament benefits those battling cancer locally. The funds go to support the American Cancer Society’s telephone service, which provides information, advice and support to cancer survivors, and to the Hope Lodge in Lubbock, which he said has been utilized by about 100 community members this year alone.

Clark said he is hoping to raise at least $30,000, but every dollar counts.

“We’d just love for people to come out, enjoy the day, walk a few laps and share in the celebration,” Peacock said.