Relay for Life volunteer Rob Scott lights a luminary Friday at Tomlinson Park in Williamstown. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Relay was limited to a parade and luminaria display at the park Friday. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

WILLIAMSTOWN — The 2020 edition of the Williamstown Relay for Life went on Friday without the food, the music and many other activities.

“We had to cancel regular Relay because of COVID-19, but we did what we could,” said Elaine Bender, one of the event organizers.

Nearly 400 luminaries — dedicated to those who died of cancer and those continuing to battle the disease — lined the track at Tomlinson Park. More than 20 vehicles traveled from Wood County Christian School to the park in a parade that included a car decorated by the Cut-Ups team carrying the defiant message: “2020 Relay: Hope will never be canceled.”

The parade was led by marshal Bruce Holmes, a Williamstown resident who has had more than one encounter with cancer.

“My late wife passed away after a long battle against multiple cancers,” said Holmes, who was her caretaker from 2003 to 2016.

More than 20 vehicles participated in Friday’s Williamstown Relay for Life parade from Wood County Christian School to Tomlinson Park. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

In November, Holmes was diagnosed with cancer himself and has spent many of the months since going back and forth from WVU Medicine Camden Clark Medical Center to Ruby Memorial in Morgantown for treatments such as chemotherapy and surgery to remove cancerous growths.

On Friday night, Holmes could been seen waving from the back of a golf cart driven by his wife, Judith Gates Holmes, as they rolled into Tomlinson Park.

“I think they did an excellent job,” he said of the organizers, led by Bender and Rosie Scott. “A lot of places just let it go.”

Holmes was glad the city was able to hold the parade to continue raising awareness and funds to help ease many battles against cancer and work toward a cure.

“The American Cancer Society always needs donations, not just at the annual Relay,” he said.

More than 20 vehicles participated in Friday’s Williamstown Relay for Life parade from Wood County Christian School to Tomlinson Park. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

Marietta resident Susie Warman and her fiance, Larry Hughes, watched as the parade arrived at the park. Warman coordinated the event in years past and continues to support it.

“I’m just sad that it couldn’t be what it usually is because it’s a fantastic event,” she said. “But I think they did the best they could.”

Organizers said they received more luminary purchases than they expected, given the current conditions.

Madeline Scarborough can be reached at mscarborough@newsandsentinel.com

Evan Bevins can be reached at ebevins@newsandsentinel.com

Luminaries line the road through Tomlinson Park in Williamstown Friday evening for an abbreviated Relay for Life event, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

Riding a golf cart driven by his wife, Judith Gates Holmes, Williamstown Relay for Life parade marshal Bruce Holmes waves at Marietta residents Larry Hughes and Susie Warman as the parade arrives at Tomlinson Park Friday evening. (Photo by Evan Bevins)