Duplin to hold Relay for Life beginning Friday
By Bonnie Edwards
Published in News on May 15, 2005 2:01 AM
Hundreds of people throughout Duplin County will gather at James Sprunt Community College on Friday for the annual Duplin County Cancer Relay for Life.
The relay, which will begin at 7 p.m., will run all night and into Saturday morning, with closing ceremonies at noon.
The opening ceremony will include remarks and welcome by the event chairmen, Kathie Creech and Dr. Lawrence Rouse, president of James Sprunt. The keynote message will be delivered by Edith Williams Rascoe, the founder of the "Cancer-Why Us" Foundation. The JROTC Battalion from Wallace-Rose Hill High School will present the colors and Phadra Kornegay will sing the national anthem. Recognition and introductions will be made to the corporate sponsors, members of the event's steering committee and to all cancer survivors.
A highlight of the opening will include the Survivors Ceremony. Cancer survivors and their families will hear inspirational messages of hope from various speakers. Afterward, survivors will lead a "victory lap" and the parade of teams for the official beginning of the relay. Throughout the night, approximately 25 teams of participants will continue to walk, symbolizing the endurance of the cancer patient.
The highlight of the relay event comes after dark at 9 p.m. during the Luminary Ceremony. At that time, all activity ceases for a short period as hundreds of luminaries are lit to honor cancer survivors and to commemorate the memory of loved ones lost to the disease. An inspirational scripture reading and prayer will be held, followed by poetry readings by local poet Denise Sutton.
Music and entertainment will be provided throughout the night. Participants will be entertained with music by the Living Proof Gospel Band and the Lynchburg Band. Contests include: craziest hat, crazy pajamas, a limbo competition, a scavenger hunt, and prizes for the best food, the best decorated campsite, a doughnut eating contest, most team spirit, and a "Gong Show." Also on hand will be Nay-Nay the Clown, McGruff the Crime Dog, Smokey the Bear, and Andy's Boy. Saturday morning will include a volleyball tournament, shag lessons, a talent show, and various entertainers, including Amber Faith Byrd, Paula Forbes, Sam Knowles and Mackenzie Robinson, Miss Mini Majestic Supreme Wilmington Relay for Life.
Food will be available from individual teams, including chicken, barbeque, chicken salad, and pork tenderloin sandwiches, hotdogs, turkey legs, sausage biscuits, cakes, pies, and other sweet treats will be sold. Some teams will sell relay novelties.