24 Hours of RELAY

It's getting closer now...can you feel the excitement in the air? It's almost RELAY weekend in Columbus County!!!!! There is so much to see and do at RELAY and always....and I do mean always....something for everyone of all ages! When 12 noon rolls around on Friday and the walkers take to the track...the race is on. The music begins to play...thanks to our wonderful entertainment committee members...and everyone is busy decorating their campsites for the judging that will come later that evening. The folks who will be preparing some mighty fine vittles, to be purchased for a donation to RELAY and for the judges palates in that competition, begin to get busy as the afternoon progresses and soon the air is full of wonderful aromas. The different teams gear up and get their banners ready for the opening ceremony and for the judges eyes. The excitement begins to build as they practice and show their team spirit at their individual campsites, which is also part of the judging that takes place. As the afternoon progresses and folks get off of work the crowd starts to grow and before you know it, it's time for the opening ceremony. It's always held in the evening so that the working community can come out and join us for the excitement of it all. The past few years we have been really lucky to have had the talented team of Reynold Hester flying his plane above as Bob Stephens sky dives with a trail of purple smoke following him as his makes his way to the center of the track to kick off the ceremonies. The official kick-off begins with a Survivor Lap....and if you have never witnessed one up close and personal like...you need to come out and join us this year! We are so very proud of our Survivors! They come form all walks of life as they make their way around the track to the cheers and applause of the crowd they are united by the one thing that has brought us all together for this 24 hour event. We celebrate them and their struggle with cancer. We celebrate the victory of another year with them in our lives. We celebrate the family members that have taken care of them...the caregivers...with a special lap to honor them for their hard work and support. We celebrate the teams that have come together to show their support in their own special way, for their families, friends, and employees that have battled with cancer. We celebrate the committee members that put together RELAY...and all their hard work behind the scenes that makes RELAY what it is today. WE CELEBRATE LIFE! When it's just about dark the lights of all of the luminaries are lit around the track and we honor our family, friends and loved ones that have already lost their battle with cancer, when we have our luminary ceremony. This year we will also honor our Caregivers, all of the hard working souls that support the cancer patients in any way, shape, or form that they possibly can, with luminaries of their own. After the opening ceremony the entertainment continues on center stage with some of the best talent you'll ever see. We have some wonderful musicians, singers and dancers in our county and they show you what they have as they entertain the track walkers into the night. There is also a woman less beauty pageant that has become a crowd favorite over the past few years. With all the entertainment going on all night long, there are games and special laps, like a pajama lap, sunglass lap, funny hat lap...and many others to keep Relayers on their toes! Saturday finds our Relayers walking the track and looking forward to the beginning of another day...out of the darkness and into the dawn....another day of survival and celebration. The children enjoy the morning with huge bouncy houses, slides and games as they take their turns around the track to show their support. The morning passes by so quickly and before you know it, it's time for the closing ceremony and the final Survivor lap around the track. Before the campsites are even broken down, teams are already talking about next years event and how it will be even bigger and better. We invite you to join us....come out and see what the fuss is all about. Show your support for the Columbus County RELAY FOR LIFE by attending this years event. Your heart will be touched in a way you can't even imagine. I'll be there.....will you?