Relay for Life set to walk into McMinnville
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The largest cancer-fighting event in the nation, Relay for Life, is the signature fund-raiser of the American Cancer Society. Like the other 3,300 events held across the country every year, the local Relay for Life will be an overnight event featuring teams and individuals taking turns walking, or running, laps for a 12-hour period.
The main event will feature 40 teams, comprising a total of 400 to 500 individuals. These teams, which will be involved in a friendly competition to raise the most funds, were formed from many segments of the community, including schools, businesses, churches, civic clubs and families.
And while the relay portion of the event will be the highlight of the evening, Relay for Life co-chair Carole Cathcart said there will be many ways for those not on teams to help the fight against cancer – and have fun at the same time.
In addition to walking, she said, there will be a variety of food, a silent auction, games for children, face painting, a petting zoo, a DJ, live entertainment, karaoke and even hair cuts, manicures and spray-on tanning. All of the proceeds will benefit the American Cancer Society.
Relay for Life will begin at 6 p.m. Friday night with an opening ceremony and a Survivor’s Lap, in which all cancer survivors are invited to walk and be honored.
At 10 p.m. cancer survivors, as well as those who have fallen to cancer, will be honored and remembered, respectively, during a special Luminaria Ceremony. At this time luminaria bags, which will contain lighted candles, will be placed around the track. The bags, which will contain the name of a loved one to honor or remember, are currently being sold for $5. If interested in purchasing one or more, call Daughn Baines at 815-3714.
Funds to fight cancer will also be raised through donations in exchange for purple Bows for Businesses. If interested call Tabetha Sullens at 815-3414 or Jackie Steakley at 473-3025.
Relay for Life will take place from 6 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Saturday at Nunley Stadium. Everyone is invited to participate and help in the battle against cancer.
Relay for Life schedule
Friday, June 6
• 6 p.m. – Opening ceremony/Survivors Lap
• 7 p.m. – Judging of campsite posters, team attire and team name or theme
• 7 p.m. – “Not So” Beauty Contest
• 7 to 9 p.m. – Kids activities: face painting, cupcake decorating, petting zoo
• 7 to 9 p.m. – Hair cutting booth, manicure booth and cancer control booth
• 7 to 11 p.m. – On-site fund-raising: bake sales, games, silent auction, etc.
• 10 p.m. – Luminaria Ceremony
• 11 p.m. – “Not So” Beauty Contest winners announced
Saturday, June 7
• 12 a.m. – Buffet for all relay teams, foot massages for walkers
• 1 a.m. – Karaoke
• 2 to 4 a.m. – Rule or drool game (pits men against women)
• 5 a.m. – Prize parade, continental breakfast
• 6 a.m. – Closing ceremony