POULSBO — In the 1989 movie “Field of Dreams” Kevin Costner listens to the mysterious voice that simply says, “If you build it, they will come.”
Now almost two decades later, North Kitsap Relay for Life organizers are hoping for the same thing.
Last year’s event raised about $135,000, which surpassed its $125,000 goal. Because of that, organizers have their sights set on $150,000 by the time the event begins July 14 at the North Kitsap High School stadium.
Relay supporters will be “plowing over the corn,” as they take their first step in this year’s effort with pancake breakfast at 9 a.m. Jan. 20 at the Poulsbo Sons of Norway lodge. Tickets are $5.
“We’re having the kickoff in January because it gives us time to get teams together and get organized,” said NK Relay for Life chairman Mel Bird.
The theme for this year’s event is “Field of Dreams,” which should lead to team names such as Strike Out Cancer, Bird said. “If you build it, they will come, and that’s what we’re hoping.”
So far, seven new teams have been added to this year’s field, which means at least 52 teams will participate in the American Cancer Society fund raiser, he said.
By beginning fund-raising efforts early in the year, the goal is to allow captains as much time as possible to raise money and organize their teams, Bird said.
“The actual event itself is a celebration of the fund raising during the entire year,” he said.
As a two-time cancer survivor himself, Bird said he believes that once someone attends the luminaria ceremony, they will keep coming back to the event.
The luminaria ceremony will be held at 10 p.m. July 14. Each candle represents a person who lost their battle to cancer.
Even though event organizers are planning to use the high school field, Bird said they are aware of the possibility that the field might not be available, since installing synthetic turf on the field is the first part of the North Kitsap Regional Events Center master plan.
“If that happens, then we’ll move over to the junior high,” Bird said. “The whole idea is go out and have fun.”
For more information about this year’s event or to register online, interested residents and teams can go to the event’s Web site: www.acsevents.org/relay/wa/northkitsap.
