52 2015 RELAY FOR LIFE MAGAZINE LINCOLN DAILY NEWS.com June 23, 2015
The reading of the Luminaria
Throughout the afternoon and right up to 8:30 p.m. Saturday evening, Bill Post was busy
selling luminaria inside the entryway to the Jack Nutt Arena. Also being offered inside were
the survivor T-shirts and other items.
The Luminaria is one very important part of the annual Relay for Life. The white paper bags
not only list the names of those who have died after battling cancer, but also those who remain
and are now survivors.
The reading of the names is performed each year by Post. During that time the track is in
“hush” mode as those who continue around the track do so silently and those gathered in the
tented campsite areas also honor the request for quiet.
The day begins with the “track” outlined by the luminaria and bags are added throughout the
evening.
Many people enjoy going around the track reading the names on the bags for themselves or
looking for the name of their loved one on a bag they purchased.
Immediately before the reading of the names, brightly colored glow sticks are added to each
bag to light the luminary and outline the track for those still walking.
On Saturday evening, the reading was scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. However, reports of storms
moving in from the west prompted the planners to move up the start time to 8:45.
With lightning on the distant horizon, Post took the stage and read each name. The storms
stayed away until the reading was concluded, but within the hour, the wind and rain moved
through Lincoln.
