Island of Hope: GI to 'Give Cancer the Boot'

Grand Islanders will fill Veterans Park tonight to host the countrified version of the 2016 Relay For Life.

The theme of this year's event is "Give Cancer the Boot." Country music act Rob Bilson will highlight the event's entertainment schedule.

This year, the Relay will be inspired by the honorary survivors/caregivers, are the mother/daughter teams of Natalie Stanczyk and her daughter Sarah and Grace Aswad and her daughter Lisa Dudley.

The annual Grand Island fundraiser for the American Cancer Society has already topped the $100,000 mark for the year. According to the Relay For Life page on the American Cancer Society website, 37 Grand Island Relay teams and 327 participants have raised $101,005 so far.

The event will open at 4 p.m. and run to midnight.

Event Schedule

4 p.m.: Events open

6 p.m.: Opening ceremony

• National anthem by Doug Allen
• "You'll Never Walk Alone" by Grace Aswad

Survivor Lap Caregiver Lap

7 p.m.: McCarthy School of Irish Dance

7:25 p.m.: Arden-Rochez Irish Dancers

7:45 p.m.: Elektra Fire Performer

8 p.m.: Jess and Ed

8:50 p.m.: Performance by country recording artist Rob Bilson

9:50 p.m.: Luminaria ceremony with the Mackenzie Highlanders Pipers

10:15 p.m.: Performance by country recording artists Steve and Tom from Eric Van Houten the Foundry

10:15 p.m.: Paint Night in the survivor's tent, hosted by Pinot's Palette