Cullman County Relay for Life will be 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. on May 8 - 9. The event will be held at Heritage Park in Cullman and will have many activities for people of all ages.

Relay for Life is the American Cancer Society’s main activity and fundraiser. It offers people of all ages an opportunity to help in the fight against cancer.

Teams are formed and the teams have members take turns walking around a track to raise money for cancer research.

“Research is saving lives. Clinical trails are available today because of research, and who knows, one day that clinical trail may be the key to curing all types of cancers,” said Gidgett Overton, local American Cancer Society representative said.

More than 3.5 million people participate in relays around the country. People participate to celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer, to remember loved ones who dies from the disease and to fight back and raise awareness of the deadly disease.

According to the ACS, one in three people will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime. The funds raised at Relay will go to fund cancer research, early detection, prevention education, advocacy efforts and other patient services.

“Personally, I feel raising money for research funding is very important because one day I hope my children will not have to face hearing the tree dreaded words...’You have cancer’. So there will not be more people who suffer and we can find the cure,” Overton said.

Overton said Cullman always raises a lot of money for the ACS.

“In the last four years, Cullman has raised close to one million dollars,” Overton said.

Overton encourages everyone to participate.

“Everyone has been touched in some way by the cancer diagnosis, joining Relay gives people something they can get involved in to help fight back against it,” she said. “Relay is a place to celebrate their loved one survivorship, to heal by honoring those that we have lost and to fight back with our voices. Cullman is a community that has taken up the fight and we need everyone to come and enjoy the evening.”

Relay for Life began in Tacoma, Washington, after Dr. Gordy Klatt, in the mid 1980’s, a colorectal surgeon, wanted to enhance the income of his local ACS office. He wanted to show support for his patients who battled cancer. He decided to personally raise money for the fight by doing something he enjoyed: Running marathons.

In May 1985, Dr. Klatt spent 24 hours circling a track and people donated $25 to run or walk the course. That first relay raised $27,000 to fight cancer.

Schedule of Events

 5:00 Silent Auction Opens…ends at 10:00…Will be located inside the Registration/Education Tent

 5:00 Survivor/Caregiver Dinner…We invite all survivors and caregivers to attend

 5:30-6:30 Subject To Change (Band)

 Opening Ceremonies

 6:45 Celebrate/Line up for Survivor walk

 7:00 Survivor Walk

 Survivor Bench Judging Begins – Survivors will be asked to walk around and judge the teams’ benches. Teams will have a bench to decorate at their tent sites in honor of our survivors. The survivors will choose the one they like the best.

 T-Shirt Contest – Teams design their own Relay shirt for judging

 Kids Water Balloon Race – Kids on teams that are 13 and under

 Spirit Stick Contest – Teams design their own spirit stick to go with their chosen theme.

 Kids Candy Mural Contest – Kids on teams that are 13 and under

 Tent Judging Begins – Tentsite decorations are judged…this is BIG COMPETITION

 Eating Contest – This will be open to the public this year. Teams will submit one child 13 and under for the kids heat. Teams will submit one team member for adult heat.

 8:00 (?) Mascot Madness – We are inviting any business mascot (cow, pepper, Captain, etc…) as well as school mascots (bearcat, e.g.) to participate in this competition. They need a mascot and a “helper.” This is a three-part competition that will work with our survivors to determine WHO RULES!!

 9:00 Remember- Luminaria Ceremony – Don’t want to miss this! This year is our 25 Years of Hope. We will have the ceremony back in the garden area in candlelight with special music. Family members will be asked to light their Torch of Hope at this time.

 Stick Horse Barrel Race (blindfolded) – Team members only

 Fight Back Ceremony

 Relay Idol – sign-up only – Team members only…This is a spoof of American Idol complete with Paula, Randy, Kara and Simon. This is a “do not miss” event every year. The team to beat is Good Hope schools!

‰ Cheese Ball Toss – One team member will have their face covered in whipped cream. The other member will throw cheesepuff balls at their face and see how many they can get to stick in a timed race.

‰ Water Relay – This is a Relay favorite and hilarious to watch. However, this year there will be a twist!!

‰ Relay Bowl – Just like Scholar’s Bowl, complete with buzzers! There will be schools only heats this year. The adults have to go up against reigning champ Darla West in this trivia-filled game. Some of the questions are geared to see just how much you know about Relay for Life, cancer and our mission. If you want to study…go to www.relayforlife.org.

‰ Tug-O-War – Teams can recruit from the people that are still with us!! Eight people per team…

‰ Name That Tune – Teams will send one player…it’s the buzzers again. See if you can guess these songs and artist (gotta know both!) faster than your opponent! Wanna study? Brush up on your music genres…

‰ Egg-on-spoon Relay – Rush to complete your route, passing to other members along the way without dropping your egg…they will break you know!

‰ Family Fued – Teams will compete game-show style!! That is, if they can still think this early in the morning!!

‰ Frozen T-shirt Contest – Yep, it’s soaked in water, folded, placed in a Ziploc and FROZE HARD…you have to get it on with your arms in to win!

‰ Painting Contest Blindfolded – Masterpiece or one for your mom? Teams will try to paint as best they can while blindfolded.

‰ Blackout Bingo – Teams will walk laps to get numbers for their bingo cards. Each lap gets another space filled.

‰ Team Spirit Lap – Teams will walk with our children that are survivors to show our HOPE!

‰ Rooster Crowing Contest – See if you can crow the best and loudest…wanna practice? Visit my chicken coop at 4:30 in the am!

‰ SURPRISE! There will be a surprise competition where teams can “team up” to win this game…details will not be revealed until it’s time!

‰ Breakfast – Feed them pancakes and bacon!

‰ Closing Ceremonies and Awards – This is where you find out who gets the big ones!! Yes, this is where people hold their breath and cross their fingers. We will also announce the preliminary total of the year, and recognize our committee members for their hard work.

RULES FOR RELAY NIGHT

1. The track must be clear to allow for walking – do not loiter on the track.

2. Opening Ceremony & Survivors’ Walk are “The Reason” we have Relay For Life. Be respectful, get off the track, and support the survivors and/or family and friends.

3. No use of vulgar, abusive or threatening language.

4. No smoking. Tobacco, drugs or alcohol allowed anywhere in park during the entire event.

5. No fighting.

6. Do not throw trash on the ground; find a trash container.

7. Be respectful to others participating in Relay For Life.

8. Keep bathrooms clean. Also, no business soliciting allowed!

9. No weapons.

10. Gators/golf carts are for use by authorized persons only.

11. Do not dig/kick or in any way damage the grass on the park.

12. No immoral conduct or indecency on park property.

13. No “boom boxes” allowed.

14. No “bands” (noise) at individual campsites - no interference with stage activities.

15. No horseplay.

15. No bikes, skates or animals!

16. Small children should not be allowed to roam the park without proper supervision. Children 14 and under should be supervised by parent/guardian.