Kid's Walk ends 2012 Relay
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on May 20, 2012 1:50 AM
Relay for Life co-chairman Ethel Barnes told those who gathered Saturday morning for the event's closing ceremonies that it will be a little while before anyone knows exactly how much money was raised this weekend.
But, she said, she knows one thing for certain -- "Wayne County rocks."
"I'm overjoyed to be a part of this team," she added.
This was the first year for the fairgrounds location, and Relay co-chairman Debbie Pennell said it worked out well.
"This has been my dream, to have Relay at the fairgrounds," she said, recalling the day she received the call from Milton Ingram, who will retire later this year after 28 years as manager of the Wayne Regional Agricultural Fair.
There were many reasons to applaud the decision -- including a double-track created around the perimeter especially for the crowd -- as well as additional parking and bathroom accommodations.
Fellow co-chairman Brenda Robinson said fairgrounds officials and the Livestock Development Association made the decision easier by allowing the event to be held at the fairgrounds at no charge and providing everything from electricity to toilet paper and trash cans.
One of the Relay's final events was the Kids Walk, an annual chance for children to take part in the Relay.
Terrence Hampton, 8, accompanied by his mother, Lafaunta Hampton, were completing the last lap of their mile, as Terrence leaned over one of the luminaria.
"We're blowing out the candles because we keep seeing them on fire," Ms. Hampton said.
She said she had discussed the importance of the event with her son, a student at Meadow Lane Elementary School, beforehand -- "why we're walking for people that can no longer walk for themselves."
Evan Sutton, 7, was enjoying a blue raspberry icee, walking alongside his mother, Dana.
"We signed up for a 30-minute walk through our church, Garris Chapel," Mrs. Sutton explained, before being joined by her younger child, Ella, 1.
"This is our third lap," Evan said.
"Both of his grandparents on his dad's side are cancer survivors so this is really big for us," his mother added.
Emmanuel Wilder was there with six members Boy Scout Troop 92 from Brogden Methodist Church.
"I think family members of mine had cancer," he said.
Which is not to say that the 12-year-old considered that when his weekend began.
"I was kind of mad because I had to wake up early but now I'm glad that I did wake up early to see this," he said.