Monroe Relay For Life Will Begin Friday Night

The Monroe County Relay for Life will be having their ninth annual Relay events, “Beads of Love-Unmasking a Cure for Cancer”, a Mardi Gras theme, at River High School in Hannibal July 31 to Aug. 1.
Starting on Friday, between 4-6 p.m., there will be team registration. From 5-6 p.m the Survivors’ registration will begin along with singing from the Woodsfield United Methodist Choir. The kid’s activities will begin at this time also.
There will be a Survivors’ dinner buffet cooked by members of the Woodsfield Christian Church and the Ormet Retirees Club inside the school’s auditorium from 6-7 p.m.
Patient Navigator Stan Haehl and Miss Ohio 2008 Karissa Martin will be the featured speakers at the dinner.
Opening ceremonies will take place at 7 p.m., with noted oncologists Dr. JonDavid Pollock and Dr. Manish Monga speaking about what’s new in cancer research and treatments.
“There are many survivors in the county that we are trying to reach,: said Pat McDougal, survivor chairperson. “Anyone who has ever received a diagnosis of cancer, whether they are currently in treatment or not, are considered a survivor by the American Cancer Society and we hope many new survivors who have never participated in the past will come out this year to celebrate life. Also we would like to honor all cancer caregivers, even if they have lost the person they cared for, and welcome them to the dinner and to take part in the activities,” stated McDougal.
Starting at 7:30 p.m. the survivors’ lap, caregivers’ lap, and the team introduction and lap will begin.
Don’t miss this year’s Jambalaya Cook-off Taste Test starting at 8 p.m., followed by a purse auction at 8:30 p.m.
At dark, the Luminaria Ceremony will begin. Then, starting at 10 p.m., music by the Larry Burch Trio and guest Sandy Brookover will begin. Miss Relay will be crowned at 11:30 p.m.
As the day of the week changes at midnight a Mardi Gras Mask lap will be done along with art activities for the kids, in the auditorium of the school.
At 1 a.m. the Beads of Love lap will begin along with laser tag. A Best Friend lap will follow at 2 a.m. At 2:30 a.m., to wake everyone up, a game or two of water balloon volleyball will be held.
Continuing into the wee hours, a Crazy Hat lap will start at 3 a.m., followed by a corn hole tournament starting at 3:30 a.m. Bring your PJ’s and teddy bear for a lap around the track at 4 a.m. The fashion show with Mardi Gras outfits and mask will begin at 4:30 a.m.
Have a family lap together at 5 a.m. along with a crab walk relay.
Show your team spirit with a lap at 6 a.m. and then proceed to a pancake stacker breakfast from 7-8 a.m. Work off your pancakes with exercise at 8 a.m. and at 8:30 a.m. a Bayou toss will begin.
The Jambalaya Jump Rope Lap will begin a 9 a.m. followed by the cake walk at 9:30 a.m. Closing ceremonies will begin at 11 a.m.
For more information about the Monroe County Relay, contact Ruth Longwell, 740-483-1024; Pat McDougal, 740-483-1963; the American Cancer Society, 1-888-ACS-OHIO; or visit www.relayforlife.org/monroecountyoh.