Relay for Life of Wood County event volunteers help people at the information and survivors tables at Parkersburg City Park on Saturday. (Photo by Gretchen Dowler)

PARKERSBURG — Participants for the 32nd Relay for Life of Wood County met at ‘high noon’ Saturday for the fight against cancer.

“We’re already pretty close to our goal,” said event staff member Kim Haase at the beginning of the festivities on Saturday. “We have a raffle, a marketplace with vendors, a petting zoo and more this year. We’re expecting at least 300 to 500 people here today.”

Haase says that many teams, such as Forever Young, Forever Young Teens and Forever Young Mini’s, fundraise for Relay for Life of Wood County year-round and are composed of nearly 40 members.

Sandy Hathaway, who has been with the event for the past 23 years, was hoping that the rain would hold off for all of the festivities at this year’s event.

“Relay has a long history with rain, so we’re hoping it holds off this year,” Hathaway said. “We’ve had a pretty great turnout so far today, and it’s been a beautiful day too.”

Attendees of the 2026 Relay for Life of Wood County watch as the band Stallion performs at Parkersburg City Park on Saturday. (Photo by Gretchen Dowler)

Jessica Ross, 2026 Relay for Life of Wood County event lead, said the team that brought Relay to life this year was very pleased with the turnout and the number of activities they had for everyone at this year’s event.

“It’s a warm day, but there’s a nice wind that’s keeping everyone cool,” said Ross. “We’ve got a bunch of activities going on this year.”

Ross said there were at least 158 people who registered for Relay this year and at least 61 survivors also participated.

Many people choose to participate in Relay for Life for Wood County for various reasons, and Ross also has a drive to be a part of such a special event.

“I am a cancer survivor of 28 years,” Ross said. “I do this for my daughter, for the future and to give back.”

Event sponsor signs can be seen along a walkway at Parkersburg City Park during the 2026 Relay for Life of Wood County on Saturday. (Photo by Gretchen Dowler)

Gretchen Dowler can be reached at gdowler@newsandsentinel.com

Children get their picture taken as they sit in a giant inflatable chair at the 2026 Relay for Life of Wood County on Saturday at Parkersburg City Park. (Photo by Gretchen Dowler)