Williamstown Relay for Life serves up new look

Aug 7, 2023

Alyssa Tennant, with Rhododendron Ice Cream, hands a cup of ice cream to Williamstown resident Maribeth Tanner during the Relay for Life of Williamstown Saturday at Tomlinson Park. This year’s event shifted from the traditional Relay concept to a food truck and vendor festival and was met with a positive response, organizers said. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

WILLIAMSTOWN — A participant in the Relay for Life of Williamstown since its beginning nearly 20 years ago, Angela Joy didn’t take long to answer when asked about this year’s shift from a traditional Relay event to a food truck and vendor festival.

“I think it’s great. I think we should do it again,” she said during a break between bingo games.

That’s the plan, said Carmen Hathaway, senior development manager for the American Cancer Society, during the event Saturday at Tomlinson Park in Williamstown.

“We love it,” she said of the new format. “There has been a great crowd all day long. Our vendors are happy, and we’re happy.”

There had been a decline in attendance in recent years, Hathaway said, so the change was made to renew interest in the annual event, which raises money for the American Cancer Society’s efforts to fight cancer and support the patients and families affected by it.

Tamara Stevens, with the Team Moneybags Relay for Life team from Williamstown Bank, displays a set of wind chimes personalized to honor someone affected by cancer during the Relay for Life of Williamstown Saturday at Tomlinson Park. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

Fifteen food and merchandise vendors set up in the park, paying a flat fee that went to the society. Newport resident Toni Sloan, who owns The Munchies Truck with her husband Rodney, liked what she saw.

“We’re having a great day. Everybody seems to enjoy our food,” she said.

Sloan said she was glad they were set up near the gazebo, where local band As Loose As It Gets was performing classic rock.

“I’ve been jamming to it,” she said.

Activities started Saturday morning with a golf cart poker run fundraiser that drew 22 participants, Hathaway said. Joy hopes it expands next year.

Williamstown residents Tom Rowell, left, and Don Cunningham converse while looking at a 1959 Chevrolet Apache owned by Steve Eddy on display at the car show during the Relay for Life of Williamstown Saturday at Tomlinson Park. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

“We’ve had a blast,” she said.

Her husband Matt said he enjoys seeing people at the Relay and appreciates the variety of activities it provides.

“There’s always all sorts of different things to do down here, a little bit for everybody,” he said.

Because this year’s event was held in the afternoon instead of the evening, the traditional luminaria tribute didn’t fit. So wind chimes were provided for people to purchase and write the name of a loved one affected by cancer. Tamara Stevens, captain of Team Moneybags from Williamstown Bank, made one out in honor of her father, the late Frank Williams.

“I’ve known a lot of people that have gotten cancer, family, close friends,” she said. “It’s a cause I believe in.”

As Loose As It Gets performs classic rock during the Relay for Life of Williamstown Saturday at Tomlinson Park. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

Kim Hunt hung wind chimes in honor of her friend dealing with cancer from the tent where she and fellow teacher Teresa Grogg were selling Thirty-One merchandise.

“It’s a great turnout,” Hunt said. “I believe that the community is really excited about Relay coming back to life with some new ideas.”

She said she and Grogg plan to be back next year.

Steve Eddy, who organizes the Relay car show, also liked the new format.

“It’s more like a festival,” he said.

Dozens of vehicles were entered in the car show at the Relay for Life of Williamstown Saturday at Tomlinson Park. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

Sixty-five cars registered for the event, Eddy said. He attributed that to the heat, saying in the past they’d had as many as 150.

Evan Bevins can be reached at [email protected].

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