Orange County Blog

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is a life changing event which brings people together to celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and empower individuals and communities to fight back against a disease that takes too much.

Teams of 8-15 members gather with tents and sleeping bags to camp out at a local high school, park, or fairground and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Because cancer never sleeps, Relays are overnight events, and each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times.

What Makes Relay so Unique?
Relay For Life gives us an opportunity to celebrate, remember, and fight back. We celebrate cancer survivors by inviting them to participate in the Survivors Lap, the first lap around the track. The Luminaria Ceremony is another highlight of the event. A Luminaria is a small bag filled with sand, containing a candle that makes it glow. Each Luminaria bears the name of a person who has battled cancer. At dusk, all the candles along the path are lit. They burn into the night, honoring and memorializing those who have faced cancer, lighting a path of hope. The event closes with the upbeat fight back ceremony, which reminds us that we have the power to change the course of this disease.

How Can I Get Involved?
To get information on volunteering, becoming a sponsor, or forming a team, call the American Cancer Society’s office at:
1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.relayforlife.org.

To see a complete list of Relay events in Orange County, take a look at the Relay for Life Quick Link on the Home Page of this Resource Guide.

What a great weekend event! Here is what you can look forward to:
Culinary Delights:
Are you an aspiring foodie? Or, maybe just someone who can appreciate the fine art of cuisine? Then you will love this years’ OC Tastefest! Dozens of Orange County’s favorite restaurants will be offering unique tastes from around the globe. Culinary delights will include everything from California cuisine to authentic Italian, Mexican, Asian, American Barbecue, and fine Persian fare. And remember that sweet tooth? It’s not a party without dessert! There will be something for everyone, even a special area for the kids to play and sample items from their favorite restaurants.

Live Entertainment:
What’s better than enjoying exquisite food and libations on a warm spring evening in Orange County with great friends? How about adding some of your favorite tunes to play along? The OC Tastefest will feature your favorite songs from the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, and all the way up to today’s popular hits. Live bands will fill the air with music that you know and love.

OC Marathon:
OC MARATHON begins at 5:30 am
OC HALF MARATHON begins at 6:15 am
OC WAHOO's 5K begins at 7:30 am
"Inspire Kids to Fitness"
DATES/TIMES
Friday, May 4th 5:00pm to 11:00pm
Saturday, May 5th 1:00pm to 10:00pm (Cinco de Mayo)
Sunday, May 6th OC Marathon, Half Marathon and OC Wahoo's 5K

Location:
OC Tastefest will be held outdoors at the OC Fair and Event Center, 88 Fair Drive in Costa Mesa
www.OCTasteFest.com

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is a lifechanging event which brings people together to celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and empower individuals and communities to fight back against a disease that takes too much.

Teams of 8-15 members gather with tents and sleeping bags to camp out at a local high school, park, orfairground and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Because cancer never sleeps, Relays are overnight events, and each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times.

What Makes Relay so Unique?

Relay For Life gives us an opportunity to celebrate, remember, and fight back. We celebrate cancer
survivors by inviting them to participate in the Survivors Lap, the first lap around the track. The Luminaria Ceremony is another highlight of the event. A Luminaria is a small bag filled with sand, containing a candle that makes it glow. Each Luminaria bears the name of a person who has battled cancer. At dusk, we light all the candles along the path. They burn into the night, honoring and memorializing those who have faced cancer, lighting a path of hope. The event closes with the upbeat fight back ceremony, which reminds us that we have the power to change the course of this disease.

How Can I Get Involved?
To get information on volunteering, becoming a sponsor, or forming a team, call the American Cancer
Society’s office at 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit http://www.relayforlife.org..

To see a complete list of Relay events in Orange County, take a look at the Relay for Life Quick Link.

Before settling down for football, family, and feasting, start your day with an invigorating run. The beautiful city of Dana Point provides the opportunity to tour its beautiful beach, majestic cliffs and coves on Thanksgiving Day with its annual Turkey Trot - a 5K, 10K, and/or Kids’ Gobble Wobble Race. Hosted by the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce, the Dana Point Turkey Trot is considered one of America’s most scenic coastal runs, and draws as many as 10,000 participants.  From beginners to elite runners, this event is for everyone!

This year on Thanksgiving Day, you can run so others can eat by partnering with Second Harvest Food Bank. When you register to run the race, please join the Pledge Drive and ask 10 people to donate $20 each or just make a donation. The 2008 Turkey Trot raised over $40,000 for Second Harvest Food Bank and this year the need is greater than ever. Second Harvest is working to eliminate hunger in Orange County. They provide over 1 million pounds of food each month for over 220,000 people in need. The Food Bank currently serves more than 397 member charitable organizations that reach the hungry, including church pantries, shelters, senior centers, rehabilitation centers, homes for abused children and many other emergency assistance organizations. Your donation will make a difference!

The deadline for mail in registration has passed, but the online registration doesn't end until November 22, 2010.  Make your commitment today!  For more information on this fabulous, not-to-be-missed event, go to: http://bit.ly/1KKaQG and click on Dana Point Chamber of Commerce.