News & Events

• 10am - Midnight, Saturday, October 27, 2007
• 8.30pm Fireworks Spectacular
• Blacktown City Relay for Life, Athletics Precinct, Blacktown Olympic Park

Blacktown City residents are invited to a FREE Community Celebration on Saturday, October 27 between 10am - midnight, as part of the Blacktown City Relay for Life, fundraising event. The celebration is for the entire community - even if you are not taking part in the Relay, and will be jam packed with; stalls, roving entertainment, live bands and dance performances from Steve Fogarty, Jazzaroo, St Andrews College Show Band, Hueys Party and more, fireworks and bingo.

Kicking off at 10am with performances by bands and dance groups (see attached program), there will be over 40 stalls, roving entertainment, egg and spoon races, and heaps of activities for people of all ages - even if they are not taking part in the Relay!

The highlight of the Community Celebration will be at 8pm when a Candle Ceremony is held, the ceremony will see a lone bag-piper playing as visitors and participants place candles in a paper bag around the edge of the walking track. Each bag will contain messages of love, support and thoughts to those who have died to cancer or battling cancer. The ceremony will include a minutes silence and a special lap of honour. Candles and paper bags will be available for a gold coin donation on the night to participants and visitors.

A huge fireworks spectacular will then take over the night's sky at 8.30pm and kick off the evening celebrations of Bingo (9pm) and performances by Anthems of Oz, Saurekraut Stompers and Hueys Party until midnight!

"The local community is encouraged to bring along a blanket and slip-slop-slap for this great day of entertainment. Once again, the Blacktown City Relay for Life is a great opportunity to bring together the community and gives people who have been touched by cancer the opportunity to share their experiences with others in similar situations", Mayor of Blacktown City, Councillor Leo Kelly, OAM said.

During its six-year history, Relay For Life has given thousands of people across Australia the opportunity to share their stories and develop new friendships. In 2005 and 2006, the Blacktown Relay for Life was the highest earning Relay for Life, raising $500,000 for cancer research.

The Relay is still open for teams to register, billed as a 'Team Event to Fight Cancer', Relay for Life involves teams of 10 to 15 people taking turns to walk laps around their local oval. Relay for Life is an overnight event - enabling walkers to come and go as they please, or pitch a tent next to the track and stay the night.

The event, which is open to people of all ages, focuses on remembering and celebrating the lives of those who have been touched by cancer, while raising funds for cancer research, education and support services.

This year's fundraising efforts are already well underway with Blacktown City, with the current fundraising tally at $39,739 and rising. There are also 49 teams registered for the Blacktown City Relay for Life, however many more are needed!

To register a team for the Blacktown City Relay For Life on October 27 - 28 simply call Belinda on 9687 1399 extension 112 or visit www.relay.cancercouncil.com.au .

Blacktown City Relay for Life - Community Day Schedule of Events