By Greg Halbleib
NORMAL – The area’s largest fundraiser for cancer awareness and research is getting a new home.
Relay for Life of McLean County is moving to the Corn Crib for this year’s 24th annual event on June 22nd and 23rd.
“It’s a more reachable location for us. It’s huge. So we’re hoping that it gives us the opportunity to get more advertising out and get more people aware of Relay for life,” said Catina Struble of Relay for Life of McLean County.
She said the bigger and more accessible location will allow expanded activities, including the possibility of fireworks and a beverage garden. Struble also said the Relay will be able to use inflatables at the Corn Crib, which were prohibited at former sites Normal West and Normal Community High Schools.
Struble said she hopes the bigger and more accessible Corn Crib will attract more people and in turn more entertainers.
“We hoping that with it being at the Corn Crib more bands will want to play to a larger crowd. So we’re hoping to have a band come on every couple of hours,” added Struble.
Last year’s Relay for Life of McLean County raised more than 300-thousand dollars for the American Cancer Society by 70 teams of more than 650 participants and 22 survivors and caregivers.
Greg Halbleib can be reached at [email protected]