Jackson County residents will come together Friday to help fight cancer by walking laps to raise money for the American Cancer Society.
The 21st annual Relay for Life will be from 6 to 11 p.m. inside the Lloyd E. Scott Gymnasium at Seymour High School. It was decided to have the event indoors so weather would not be an issue, said event committee member Julia Aker.
This year’s Relay has a Disney theme of “Wish Upon a Cure.” Teams may begin setting up their sites in the gym at 3:45 p.m. Friday.
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A total of 16 teams already have raised $18,684.49 through their own fundraisers and will use Friday’s main event to make a push to reach their goal of $50,000.
Last year’s Relay featured 20 teams that combined to raise $44,256. All money goes to help fund research and programs through the American Cancer Society.
The event is open to the public beginning at 5 p.m., and people should enter through Door 15 on the north side of the commons area between the school’s two gyms. Anyone is welcome to walk to support cancer survivors and honor loved ones who have died from the disease.
Opening ceremonies will begin at 6 p.m. and will include the survivor lap. There also will be a lap for caregivers, a remembrance lap and a lap for teams and event sponsors.
For $10 donations, people can decorate a luminaria in honor or memory of someone with cancer. All of the bags will be placed around the gym floor for the luminary ceremony at 8 p.m.
Survivors can participate in a Survivor Celebration in the commons area by registering online at relayforlife.org/jacksoncountyin or can register onsite at 5:30 p.m.
Food and drinks will be available to purchase throughout the evening, including tenderloins and walking tacos, with all proceeds going to the cause. There also will be several vendors set up selling cancer awareness items.
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Schedule for Friday’s Relay for Life of Jackson County at the Lloyd E. Scott Gymnasium at Seymour High School
5 p.m.: Check-in
5:30 p.m.: Survivors gather in commons area
5:30 to 7:30 p.m.: Luminaria for sale
5:30 to 7:30 p.m.: Accounting area open
6 p.m.: National anthem, mayor proclamation and opening ceremony with survivor, caregiver and remembrance laps
6:15 p.m.: Sponsorship lap
6:30 p.m.: Vendors and concessions open
6:45 p.m.: Team lap with Disney theme
7 p.m.: Team site judging
7 p.m.: Games and activities upstairs
7:30 p.m.: Move it, Move it to the Music lap with “Cupid Shuffle” and “Cha Cha Slide”
8 p.m.: Luminary ceremony with silent walkers
9:30 p.m.: Backwards/crazy hat lap (bring your crazy hats)
10 p.m.: Parrot head lap (dress in your favorite island shirt)
10:30 p.m.: Closing ceremony
11 p.m.: Start to tear down
Anyone wanting to donate can do so online at relayforlife.org/jacksoncountyin or by calling 800-227-2345.
For information, visit Relay for Life of Jackson County on Facebook.
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