Bark for Life of Palm Beach County is back this weekend, with a fun new twist: a glow-in-the-dark 5K fun run.
The pet-friendly festival-style event benefitting the American Cancer Society is 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, at Commons Park, 11600 Poinciana Blvd., Royal Palm Beach. The first race group starts at 6:30 p.m.
I’ve been involved with Bark for Life since it started here in Palm Beach County, as part of my volunteer work with Relay for Life of Palm Beach County. My sister, Candice Webb, has chaired Relay for Life events on and off since our dad died of cancer in 2012. She’s the co-chair of this year’s Bark for Life.
“We are so excited for the return of Bark for Life of Palm Beach County after a hiatus because of the COVID-19 pandemic,” she said. “We find it important and inspiring to honor the role of our beloved canine companions in the care and treatment of cancer.”
Candice and I saw the benefits of having a pup during cancer care firsthand when Dad was dying. Between the therapy dogs at the hospital and our sweet dogs at home, our hearts were healed in part by canines. Relay for Life is a great event, but it isn’t pet-friendly. Bark for Life gives us an opportunity to honor the pets who buoy us through some of the most difficult times of our lives.
Admission and parking are free. To participate in the fun run, the entry fee is $25 for adults and kids ages 12 and older, and $10 for children under 12. For $40, you receive a special package that includes registration, a glow-in-the-dark swag bag and entry into a drawing for tickets to Lion Country Safari.
Because this is a fun run, times will not be recorded. There will be a race clock for participants to use. The fun run will have a staggered start with three groups: Serious Runners, Jazzy Joggers and Walk & Rollers.
This year’s event features the Tacos Del Pueblo food truck with delicious meals to stay fueled throughout the event. PRO MD Wellington, Healing ARTS Veterinary Center, My Community Pharmacy and Palm Beach Tax Group are sponsors this year.
There will be a variety of vendors, including Paradise for Paws, PetWants (Royal Palm Beach), Flower Crowns by Mary Kaye, Kissed by a Pixie, KB Social Artworking and Sweet Emporium by Kat.
Where Relay for Life events have an event leadership team, our Bark for Life event has a Pet Leadership Team: Nacho, Easter, Brando, Wally, Nola, Vince, Chappo and Ruca. There are some cats on the list, but we try not to think about that too much. Wally is my little beagle mix, and he will be with me Saturday night. He loves everyone, so be sure to find me, say hello and get some Wally love.
Join us Saturday night to support the American Cancer Society’s mission to improve the lives of people with cancer and their families through advocacy, research and patient support, to ensure everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat and survive cancer.
For more information or to register for the fun run, go to www.eventbrite.com and search “Bark for Life 5K.”
Looking forward to Relay for Life of Palm Beach County? It’s coming up! This year’s event starts at 4 p.m. March 11 at the South Florida Fairgrounds, 9067 Southern Blvd. Click here for more information.
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