Bakersfield is the most successful Relay for Life in the world and with that comes some
heavy traffic.Organizers hoped this year's new site would help ease congestion, but drivers still had to pack some patience, as they dealt with long lines.
On Saturday organizers are estimating a record turnout of 15,000 to 20,000 people.
The heavy traffic was on Merle Haggard Drive, miles of traffic was backed up all the way to southbound Highway 99.
Twalla Carmona was one of those stuck in the traffic. She says, "We left our house at 7 a.m. so we could get here early to set up and we didn't get here until 9 a.m. because the traffic was so bad"
Despite the traffic, relay organizers say they try not to get bogged down, but instead focus on the positive.
Brenda Godbold is the Bakersfield Relay for Life Manager. She says, "The traffic congestion this morning was minor in comparison to last year and this being the largest relay for life community in the world, that's a good problem to have, we got them all in."
Billy Fanning was at the relay last year, he feels the new location has helped tremendously. Fanning says, "Since the last relay for life, last year when we were out here they changed the location, which made it a lot better, it was one way in and one way out."
