The American Cancer Society will sponsor the Relay for Life of Coles County Saturday in Peterson Park, 500 Broadway Ave., Mattoon.

The Relay is free and open to the public and will begin with a survivors’ reception from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The Relay will run until 6 a.m.

Opening Ceremonies will take place at 6 p.m. when cancer survivors and caregivers will begin the Relay by walking the first lap.

The Deep Water Band, a progressive southern gospel group from Mattoon, will perform at 7:30 p.m. at the band shell.

The Luminaria Ceremony will begin at 9 p.m. where lanterns dedicated to cancer survivors, caregivers and pets that have died of cancer will be lit along the path as other lights in the park are shut off. The Luminaria will cost $10 each and can be decorated.

Sandy Grave, chairperson of the Relay for Life of Coles County, said the purpose of the Luminaria Ceremony is to illustrate how many people and animals have been affected by cancer and to show how their light can illuminate the course of others’ lives.

“It’s amazing when you see that many candles around the track,” she said.

A bouncy house and games will be provided for children’s entertainment. Relay for Life team members will be selling food, drinks and raffle tickets, along with holding silent auctions to raise funds for their team.

Community members are encouraged to “paint the town purple” by wearing purple and decorating their houses and businesses purple to raise awareness of the event and support cancer survivors, caregivers, and everyone affected by cancer, said Jason Wyatt, co-chair of Relay for Life of Coles County.

“We want to encourage anyone who sees the purple throughout Coles County to take a quick minute to learn more about cancer prevention and the services available through the American Cancer Society to anyone touched by cancer,” Wyatt said in an email.

All money raised through the Relay for Life will go to the American Cancer Society.

Tim Deters can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].