HARRISONBURG, VA (Rocktown Now) — The Harrisonburg-Rockingham Relay for Life announced this year’s Relay for Life — renamed the Festival for Hope — will take place Saturday, May 9th from 5:00–10:00 p.m. inside the barns at the Rockingham County Fairgrounds.

According to a release, holding the event indoors allows participants and teams to enjoy the event without worrying about unpredictable spring weather. The fairgrounds barns will also provide room for a variety of activities for all ages, including games, team booths, food, music, and interactive experiences designed to celebrate survivors, honor caregivers, and remember those we’ve lost.

The evening will conclude with the Luminaria Ceremony. As the lights dim, participants will gather to reflect, honor, and remember loved ones affected by cancer.

In addition to the main event, organizers have announced a schedule change for one of Relay’s fundraisers. The annual Live Auction will now be held as a stand-alone event on Saturday, March 28th, 2026, beginning at 4:00 p.m. at the Woodmen Life building in Dayton. This shift ensures that supporters can enjoy both the auction and Relay for Life without overlapping commitments. Donations for the auction are now being accepted, and community members are encouraged to contribute items of all types to help raise funds for the cause.

For more information about the Live Auction or to donate an item, please contact Crystal Waters at relayauction1@gmail.com.

To learn more about the 2026 Relay For Life (Festival for Hope) or to get involved, reach out to Dee Dee Sencindiver, 2026 Event Lead at deedee.sencindiver@nestrealty.com.

To register or Relay for Life you can visit Relay For Life of Harrisonburg Rockingham |  or call the American Cancer Society at 1.800.227.2345