The relay was held at the soccer pitch in St. Alban's and through the combined efforts of the "Nar Fish" relay team, the Town of St. Alban's, Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro, service groups in the area, the Milltown and St. Alban's Volunteer Fire Brigades and the RCMP who provided security for the event, the relay was an enjoyable event for all.

The opening ceremonies of the relay included the singing of "O Canada" by Janice Quilty followed by addresses by Barry Oake of the South and Central Health Foundation, Dorothy Johnston, Administrator of the Harbour Breton Hospital, and Brendan Collier of the host relay team, "Nar Fish". Next was the twenty minute stretch, led by Mrs. Sood, which limbered up many dormant, unused muscles. Then the relay got underway with an initial all participant first lap led by representatives of the local RCMP, Larry Hudson, Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 53 and Barry Oake, South and Central Health Foundation.

As relay team members tore up the track, other participants enjoyed a few hours of fun including an obstacle course race, a smooshing race, an "under and over" race, a log sawing contest and a dunk tank. In the evening PartyHouse provided a few hours of musical entertainment. This was followed by a spectacular two hour demonstration of "virtual reality" which featured an amazing light and sound show with added special effects. Everyone on the field thought they were experiencing a thunder and lightning storm complete with torrential rains. Barry Oake commented that this was the best light, sound and water display he had ever seen. Clyde Drew and friends (Rimshot) then provided some dance music until early Sunday morning. Throughout the night the participants were entertained by the antics of Michael Bennett (The Toutons).

After an overnight clearing of the effects of the "virtual reality", relay participants continued to turn up the lap count under starry skies which turned into a beautiful sunrise. After breakfast, it was funtime again as participants took part in a tug of war, "dizzy lizzy", the toilet paper mummy race, dory races and an underwater treasure hunt. Gail Moore of the Toutons won top prize of a Twillingate boat tour for the team in the underwater treasure hunt.

At noon on Sunday, the relay ended with an all participant final lap and a general assembly where officials of Browning-Harvey and the South and Central Health Foundation presented awards to the relay teams for their fundraising efforts and laps run. The total funds raised this year was in excess of $30,725.00 and the top funraisers were the A-Team from Grand Falls-Windsor followed by the Nar Fish team and the BayWops. The total laps run during the twenty-four hour period were in excess of 2200 laps with each lap being 900 feet. The Toutons were tops in laps with 667 (114 miles) followed by Nar Fish (557 - 95 miles) and the Lions Roar (515 - 88 miles).

Next year's relay is planned for Lewisporte and all teams are looking forward to it.

For more information about the Coast of Bays, contact:
Tracey Perry, Executive Director
Coast of Bays Corporation
P.O. Box 310
St. Alban's, Newfoundland
A0H 2E0
Phone: 709-538-3401
Fax: 709-538-3627
E-mail: inquiries@coastofbays.nl.ca