We have done this for the past two years at all of my events and it works beautifully...

At the end of the reading of the names, we ask all survivors to pleas join us on the track.. as they exit the stands they are given a small candle (Church ceremony size, with wax gaurd).

As they make their way onto the track, they "receive their light of hope" from the torches that are at the main entrances.

We then ask caregivers to come to the track and receive their light of hope from their survivor,

Then those Relaying in honor of someone are asked to join us on the track and receive their light of hope.. then those Relaying in memory of someone...

then if there is anyone left we ask them to join us on the track and direct everyone else to "Share your light of hope and watch it spread"

We then ask everyone to let their light of hope shine beyond the event, let everyone see the Hope that Relay brings.

Then we all take a lap around the track together, sometimes in silence, sometimes with bag-pipers, or sometimes with a single song "Go light your world" is our favorite.

The ceremony is so awesome, it really helps hit home the impact of cancer and gives everyone a chance to see the beautiful bags that line the track while the lights are still dim.

As we close the lap, we ask everyone to join us in the middle of the field, we collect the candles (they are about gone by this point) and then...

to get the event revved back up and going on a celebratory note we have...

A dance party in the middle of the field! The chicken dance, the hokey pokey, the maccereana, all those dnaces, 500-600 people 2years to 82 yearsold out their boggie-ing in the dark as the lights come back up... it is great!