At 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 13, McCullough Field will go dark, setting the scene for a radiant moment in Laurel's 17th American Cancer Society Relay for Life of Laurel fundraiser.
During a moment of silence, hundreds of luminaria glow every year to honor cancer survivors, their caregivers and loved ones lost, spelling out the word "hope" in the basketball court.
A stunning moment in every Relay for Life fundraiser held across the United States and in 21 other countries, the luminaria ceremony is what cancer survivor Robin Brecht, of Laurel, said "hooked" him on the event.
"It is a very touching service," he said.
Brecht, who served as relay chairman from 2006 to 2009, said he and his wife, Darlene, have attended all the Laurel relays with family members and friends. Some, such as Darlene's mother, Beverly Hubbuch, who died in 2007, have lost the battle.
"We love the event so much," Brecht said. "It didn't matter what happened, we were staying."
Robin and Darlene Brecht served as co-chairs of the luminaria committee last year. Their daughter, Jennifer Randolph, and a friend, Trish Dunn, have picked up that torch as Darlene Brecht chairs the entire event for the first time.
Brecht and co-chairwoman Michelle Goodwin, a cancer survivor, said relay teams will fashion their campsites as countries in celebration of this year's theme, "Gordy's Legacy: Around the World in 30 Years," honoring Relay for Life founder Dr. Gordon Klatt.
Last August, Klatt died at 71 of heart failure after battling stomach cancer.
Thirty years ago, as an athletic and cancer-free colorectal surgeon in his early 40s, Klatt ran and walked more than 83 miles around the University of Puget Sound track in Tacoma, Wash., raising $27,000 in pledges for the fight against cancer.
During his 24-hour solo marathon — cheered on and supported friends, family and patients — the doctor began brainstorming a larger fundraising event.
The following year, in 1986, 19 teams participated in the first American Cancer Society Relay for Life, which has grown into a movement embraced by more than four million people.
The Laurel relay came on the scene in 1999 and, according to Robin Brecht, Relay for Life of Laurel has raised more than $1,000,000 since then. In 2014, the event raised $108,000, with this year's goal set at $110,000.
The Brechts and Goodwin said planning activities by the all-volunteer event leadership started last September. They were assisted by Nick Farano, of Greenbelt, a community manager for the American Cancer Society.
Farano said that Laurel is unique.
"We're raising money to change the face of cancer, and Laurel is not tired of fighting," he said. "The people want to keep coming back; they realize that now more than ever, we need to keep going."
While some relay groups pay out of pocket for these things, the city of Laurel donates the use of McCullough Field; the overhead lights; police, fire and rescue services; and the banner that hangs across Main Street.
"We don't see support like this from the community on the whole Eastern seaboard, where the city comes together and whatever is needed is provided," he said.
According to Farano, the American Cancer Society is funding the right research, investing $12 million in research grants at Johns Hopkins and the University of Maryland last year.
The numbers of diagnoses is going down, and the number of survivors is going up.
"We also provide an exhaustive list of patient services," he said. "The money is making a difference here."
The overnight party at McCullough Field celebrates a year's worth of fundraising activities in Laurel, kicking off at 5 p.m. on Saturday night. Laurel resident Stu Knasik will sing the national anthem in the opening ceremony.
Then, survivors and caregivers will take to the track followed by the parade of teams (there were 37 registered as of June 7), judging of the teams' hand-decorated boxcars, a balloon release; and the Mr. Relay contest, emceed, as it has been every year, by Robin Brecht, who said he finds it one of the most fun and outrageous activities.
"I will do anything for relay," Brecht said.
In the Mr. Relay contest, a man from each team can dress as a woman and compete to collect the most money in donations.
Officer Darwin Paredes, 24, plans to compete for the second year representing the Laurel Police Department's "Walking the Beat for a Cure" team.
"It's all for a good cause," he said.
Police dispatcher and team captain Jodi Googooian said Paredes will get a professional makeover from drag queen performer Anastasia Amore, as he did last year.
"Walking the Beat for a Cure" surpassed its initial goal to raise $2,500 at a Tip a Cop fundraiser at BurgerFi in the Towne Centre at Laurel May 23. The team had raised $3,621 as of June 1, Googooian said.
She expects about 40 officers to participate on June 13, on their own time.
"We're going to have a dunk tank where officers will be dunked," Googooian said. "We are going to raise some money!"
Among many teams displaying photos at campsites to commemorate those lost, the Laurel police campsite — decorated as the North Pole — will honor retired Capt. Phil Pollack, who died March 22 after surviving multiple diagnoses.
Pollack served the Laurel Police Department for more than 30 years; Googooian said he was a beloved mentor to many.
Themed laps begin with participants dressed as angels carrying pictures of loved ones. Next are walks as lighthearted as folks showing off their craziest hats and hand-decorated bras (worn over clothing) starting on the hour at 9 p.m.
After the tears and dedications at the climatic luminaria ceremony at 9:30 p.m., a Mass will be celebrated at St. Vincent Pallotti High's chapel.
The celebrants will play until dawn, with volunteer DJ Rob Boucek providing music for the popular disco and soul train at midnight and throughout the evening.
Kids activities will be offered early on, and steak-on-a-stick, hot dogs, snow cones, meatball subs, root beer floats, hamburgers, pulled pork and lots of coffee, along with raffle tickets, will be available for purchase.
No alcohol, pets nor smoking will be permitted.
Online purchase of the luminaria bags ended on June 7, but an unlimited supply will be available for purchase 3 to 8:30 p.m. at the relay for a suggested donation of $15, with the option of decorating the bags by hand.
Darlene Brecht said she is particularly excited this year.
"It would have been my mother's 75th birthday," she said.