The stadium at nearby Johansen High School in Modesto will be transformed this weekend, playing host to hundreds of people and dozens of teams taking part in the Relay For Life Greater Central Valley in a 24-hour team event in the fight against cancer.
From the opening ceremony at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 16 to the closing ceremony on Sunday, May 17 at 9 a.m.; there will be theme laps, musical entertainment, team competitions, food, fundraising, recognition of cancer survivors and caregivers, and more. This year’s Relay is presented by Kaiser Permanente.
Also planned are a classic car show, the popular kid’s area with free fun and games for youngsters, and a new feature will be a fishing area with knot tying and fishing tips provided by the Department of Fish and Wildlife. That’s designed to go along with the 2026 theme, “Fishing For A Cure – Cast Your Line Against Cancer.”
As of Monday, May 11, the fundraising total for the Greater Central Valley event had gone over $116,350 and the goal for the year is $175,000. Teams will continue their fundraising on site, offering a variety of merchandise, opportunity drawings, food, sweet treats and more.
Chairperson Irene Cortez stressed that Relay For Life is open to all; they welcome people from throughout the region to stop by and support the teams. You do not have to be a registered participant to attend and there are plenty of activities to enjoy throughout the day on Saturday, including a tri-tip/chicken dinner available on site at a cost of $15, along with the evening luminaria ceremony remembering those lost to cancer and honoring those still fighting.
In the morning Saturday, the opening ceremony will include some guest speakers and a dove release, followed by the Survivor Lap, with cancer survivors walking the first lap as team members line the track to cheer them on.
There will also be presentations during the day, including an update on the ACS CAN – Cancer Action Network – working with legislators on a variety of initiatives. Music will include popular returning groups No Way Back at 11 a.m. and the Wet Banditos on stage at 2:30 p.m.
Matthew Rae Music performs at 5 p.m., and the luminaria ceremony is at 9 p.m.
The popular Ms. Relay contest is scheduled for 1 p.m.; theme laps range from the 80s/90s lap to a Tutu/Princess lap, Superhero costume lap to Fishing lap, with those on the track asked to dress in their best fishing outfit and bring their fishing gear.
The goal of the 24-hour team event is to have at least one person from each team on the track at all times, walking throughout the day and night, as a reminder that “Cancer never sleeps.”
Overnight activities include musical pizza boxes, a midnight move, newspaper fashion show, scrabble lap and more.
The closing ceremony at 9 a.m. Sunday, May 17 features team and individual awards, along with a reveal of the fundraising total, with participants then walking a final lap together.
Johansen High School is at 641 Norseman Drive in Modesto. Again, all are welcome and encouraged to attend – even if not signed up for a team – to enjoy the activities and support the Relay For Life participants in their continuing fight against cancer.
