Relay for Life set for Friday
It’s the moment fundraising teams and supporters have all been waiting for – the Franklin County Relay for Life, set for Friday in downtown Russellville.
This year’s Relay for Life, which will start at 6 p.m., will feature the theme Defeating All Cancers.
“People don’t realize how many different cancers there are. We wanted every cancer patient to feel supported,” explained Relay for Life community manager Anna Duncan. “We want to find a cure for all of them.”
Teams booths and campsites will be decorated in colors to reflect a certain cancer – like teal for gynecological cancers, pink for breast cancer or yellow for childhood cancer – or purple, the signature color for all cancers and Relay for Life. Additionally, a pennant banner to be displayed on the mainstage, representing many types of cancer, was decorated at the recent Survivor Dinner.
The Opening Ceremony, Duncan said, is set for 7 p.m., followed by the survivors’ and caregivers’ laps.
“We will recognize each Relay for Life team after that,” Duncan said. The Luminaria Ceremony will follow at 9 p.m., with awards and closing comments at 9:30 p.m.
Last year was the first year for the Franklin County Relay for Life to be held in downtown Russellville, instead of at the high school football stadium, necessitated as RHS replaced the grass field with turf.
“The majority of people really liked it because everyone was closer together,” said Duncan. It also allowed teams to be evenly situated to the mainstage, meaning improved ability to hear music and announcements. “We’re able to have more control over how we situate the teams so everyone can hear but no one is being blasted out of their tents,” Duncan said. People also enjoyed the closer, more intimate feel to the event. “There was a lot of good response last year.”
With difficulties lining up a band for this year’s event, deejaying will be provided by Billy Boyd of Red Bay. “That will be something different. He’s going to play a mix of country and classic rock and all that good, fun stuff,” Duncan said. In addition to walking laps, enjoying music and purchasing treats and goodies from the teams, young Relay-goers can enjoy the Kids Zone, which will have two double slides and a basketball shoot.
“We are excited about this year’s event. This committee is very committed to finding cures and to funding cancer research,” said Duncan, who praised the “awe-inspiring determination” of local teams. “They work all year long just to try to raise money for this event.”
Larry and Janice Dover are main coordinators this year for Franklin County Relay for Life.
