Relay for Life begins Friday

Activities for the 2007 Relay for Life will begin this Friday, June 22 at Mike Colwell Memorial Stadium in Blairsville. The annual event raises money to help fund cancer research and many other elements of the fight against the disease.

Beginning at 4 p.m. James Hooper will be getting the crowd and teams ready with plenty of music. "He will also be introducing the various musical and variety acts that will be on stage prior to the opening ceremonies at 7 p.m. that evening," stated Relay For Life Activities co-chair Vee Laffoon. Mrs. Laffoon and co-chair Joanne Sales have lined up some exciting entertainment venues for the entire evening, including two segments of line dancing with special guest Kim Armstrong. Mr. Armstrong has been a crowd favorite of several national and area Relay For Life events, especially the 2006 Celebration on the Hill in Washington, DC last fall. "Mr. Armstrong encourages lots of audience participation so wear your Relay For Life t-shirts and some 'dancing'shoes," added Mrs. Sales.

The Survivors Hospitality Tent will open at 5 p.m. so that area cancer survivors may pick up their 2007 tshirts as well as sponsor bags and other goodies. Volunteers will be on hand to assist with the hospitality tent which will be located on the track in front of the homestands. Those that might need some sort of special assistance in getting around the track area may want to contact Mrs. Head to be sure that the event committee is someone assigned to assist them. Mrs. Head's phone number is 706-745-1045. "Our volun- teers are pleased that the United Community Bank's Junior Board of Directors will be on hand to assist at the Survivors Tent this year" she added.

The Opening Ceremony will begin at 7:00 p.m. and will include a welcome by American Cancer Society volunteers and the traditional Invocation given this year by Rev. George Cline of Antioch Baptist Church, whose Relay For Life team will also be present. The presentation of the American Flag, the National Anthem, and the Pledge of Allegiance will be conducted by the North Georgia Honor Guard. "These patriots have been a vital part of our Relay For Life since 1995 and we are glad to have them inspire us each year," stated Mrs. Sue Upchurch.

The Cancer Survivors Lap will begin after the North Georgia Honor Guard retires. This year's lap will be led by Honorary Grand Marshalls Steven Lewis and Sean Byers, both UCHS seniors and brain tumor survivors. Stacy Head, Survivor Chair, will assist in getting our largest ever group of survivors off to a great start for 2007's Relay For Life. The public is welcomed to come to the UCHS track to help the Relay For Life teams honor these brave and courageous cancer fighters. "Many will have their families walking along side of them as a symbolic celebration of life," added Mrs. Head.

Following the survivors lap will be the Recognition of Event Sponsors and the colorful Parade of Teams. Team captains and team members will have the opportunity to show off their campsite themes with banners and even costumes as they set the tone for the "Relay For Life Through the Ages". There will be teams depicting the colorful roaring '20's as well as some futuristic teams aiming for a time when there is no cancer in our world. This Parade Lap allows the teams to celebrate their hard work and prepare for the long night of walking the track to honor those we have lost to cancer and those who in still in the fight.

Entertainment will continue before and after the various ceremonies that are so vital to Relay For Life. You might get to see "Elvis," "Liza" or even our own local idol Nick Daddona during the evening's stage performances.

New to our 2007 Relay For Life will be the "Baby, Tiny & Little Miss and Mr. Relay" contests headed up by the Ray of Hope RFLteam. The winners will be announced around 8:50 p.m. The winners and all the contestants will be joining Steven Lewis and Sean Byers as they all "Take It To the Track" to honor our Childhood Cancer Fighters. This is a new time for this special lap and we want all youth ages 18 and under to come be with our childhood cancer fighters as they take the final lap prior to luminaria ceremony. Any vacation Bible School groups, youth groups or families can join in this lap time. "We hope to see quite a few baby buggies being pushed by parents or grandparents as part of this special lap," stated Allyson McGraw, RFLvolunteer.

The traditional Luminaria Candle Lighting Ceremony will begin at 9 p.m. This is a quiet reflective time of the Relay For Life. Candles will be provided for audience use.

Local Beta Sigma Phi Iota Iota members and friends will be preparing the candles and bags that are placed around the track and in the visitors stand. "Seeing the word hope coming to light as the sun sets on the track area is one of the most thrilling and touching parts of the Relay For Life each year," stated Mrs. Carla Drake, who will be coordinating the service this year.

Near the end of the ceremony, all caregivers past and present will be asked to join together in front of the home stands for a special blessing and show of appreciation. "Caregivers both medical and non-medical will be recognized for their dedication and their courage in this fight against cancer," stated Mrs. Drake, who is also a cancer survivor and a caregiver as well.

Midnight Madness Team Activities will include a crazy hat contest, sack race, hula hoop race, sponge relay, Box car race, watermelon eating contest, marshmallow toss, egg walk; and scavenger hunt. These are all team activities that help keep us alert and excited as team members continue walking the track all night long. Relay For Life Spirit Bucks get awarded to the teams that participate and walk all night long. In addition, there are awards for the teams raising the most funds to fight cancer as well as the teams that have the best decorated campsites.

As the clock ticks on past midnight the Saturday activities will continue with 1:00 a.m. karaoke and then the 2:00 a.m. - 6:00 a.m. quiet time. Teams will continue to have walkers on the track all night long.

At 7:00 a.m. Saturday there will be a morning exercise and at 7: 45 A.M. the closing ceremony will take place with the announcement of campsite and other awards, final money total, the traditional circle of friendship and challenge for 2008.

Each of the Relay For Life teams will be conducting activities that include a dunk tank, moonwalk, bingo, tiny train, animal walk, kids corner, and much more.

There will be plenty of food and concessions. The Blairsville Kiwanis Club members will offer hamburgers & hotdogs in the concession stand near the visitors side .The Barbecue Ribs & Sauce Contest will also be going on. Attendees can "vote" with donations for the best tasting Ribs and Vittles. Attendees can also check out the campsites for frozen treats, homemade goodies, etc.

A free skin cancer screening will be offered by Dr. Perry Scallan in the field house located on the flagpole end of the field from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.