Each October the Lincoln County community comes together to celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness month. We remember those who have lost the battle against breast cancer and honor survivors at our annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk. Hundreds have walked, dressed in an assortment of pink attire from T-shirts to tutus. Photos were taken of participants in the Big Pink Chair. The bands played and the walkers lined up to make their donations. It was sunny, rainy, and sometimes snowy, but it was always a “feel good” day.

Then came COVID-19. How would we manage a breast cancer walk with a pandemic requiring so many restrictions? The American Cancer Society (ACS) has a solution. Instead of walking, we ride. Instead of dressing ourselves in elaborate costumes, we adorn our vehicles with pink streamers, balloons, and flags. We will gather at 1 p.m. at Lincoln Academy on Saturday, Oct. 17. We will assemble the vehicles minding the social distance guidelines. The procession will follow a simple route through Newcastle and Damariscotta ending at Round Top Farm.

Register online to join the parade at makingstrideswalk.org/damariscotta.me; You can register as a single participant or create a team. Then fundraise in the traditional way. You can enter one vehicle or several to show your support for the cause. Help this year’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Ride become a success. So “Pink Your Ride” and join the parade on Saturday, Oct. 17.

If you can’t join the Oct, 17 event, you can “walk your own walk” at your own time and place. Just remember to register and do your fundraising through the Making Strides website.