| 113th Year, 42nd Issue | Thursday, May 30, 2002 | Sparta, North Carolina |
Officials are encouraging the public to participate in and support this year's annual "Relay for Life," scheduled for June 7 and 8 at Woodruff Stadium. The overnight event — which is to include music, games, contests and other entertainment, as well as the walking relay — is a local fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, providing money for cancer research.
Relay for Life will begin Friday, June 7 at 6 p.m., according to Co-Chairman Ellen Wright, and continue until about noon on Saturday, June 8. Opening ceremonies will include a "survivors' lap" with cancer survivors, followed by a children's lap.
A dunking booth will operate from 6:30 p.m. until 9 p.m., then again on June 8 resuming at 9 a.m. Wright said Relay officials are in the process of securing local notables to sit in the dunking booth.
An auction will commence at 7 p.m., featuring baked goods and other items. Also at 7 p.m., a Rook tournament will begin. The tournament will continue as long as participants want to play, Wright said, with a break at 9 p.m. for the luminary ceremony. Winners of the Rook tournament will receive trophies.
Bingo games begin at 9 a.m. June 8, followed by a "sock hop" at 10 a.m. The sock hop will include costume and dance contests.
Brian Finney will perform as Buddy Holly during the sock hop, in keeping with the theme "Retro Relay." Sonia Joines of WCOK radio station is also slated to provide recorded music from past decades.
Last year's Relay raised more than $32,000. Wright said no specific goal has been set for this year. "With the economy the way it is, we're just going to try to do the best we can."
She referred to the Memorial Classic Golf Tournament, which raised almost $30,000 for the American Cancer Society last weekend. "We know the golf tournament did really well; we hope we can do well, too," said Wright.
Join the Fun
She said 23 relay teams have signed up so far.
Ample opportunities to participate and/or support the Relay at various levels are still available. Anyone may sign up and walk in the relay, with or without a team.
The entry fee for the rook tournament and the contests during the sock hop is $5 per person for each event. Ellen Widener is registering contestants for those competitions; she can be reached at the Alleghany County Board of Education at 372-4345. Advance registration is required.
The luminary ceremony will recognize cancer victims as well as survivors. Luminaries, in honor or memory of a loved one, may be purchased for $10 each from team members or by contacting Judy Halsey at 372-8291. Other information on Relay for Life is available by calling Wright at 372-2846 or Co-Chairman Kaye Royall at 372-2826.
"We invite the public to come up and participate. If they don't want to walk, they can come and support us," said Wright.
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