Volunteers for the Relay for Life of Yellowstone County are setting up liminarias on 24th Street West from Grand Avenue to Monad Road starting at noon and finishing at 6 p.m. tonight.
A record number of 10,000 luminarias were sold this year with support from individuals and sponsors. Last year, there were 3,500 luminarias sold.
Glow sticks will be broken and dropped in the bags just before dusk so they can glow throughout the night.
While the event is officially over at 11 p.m., the volunteers clean-up process doesn't start until Saturday morning, so the community can enjoy this special glow all night long.
Each luminaria represents a loved one lost to cancer or a survivor impacted by cancer. Luminaras are $10 each and can be purchased at the Billings West High School drive through donation lane or online at www.yellowstonerelay.org.
Community members are invited to decorate their cars purple and cruise the route anytime from 6-11. Businesses along the route are also going purple for the day, as well as homeowners as a sign of solidarity for the fight against cancer.
"I dream of a day when there is a cure for cancer, when our kids are not scared of the word cancer and when we can have our grandmas and grandpas around to see our children grow up. Too many lives are lost to cancer and this is why we relay,” says Relay for Life of Yellowstone Marketing Co-Chair and Q2 Lifestyle Host Dianne Parker.
