Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Relay for Life is the biggest fund-raiser in Kosciusko County for the American Cancer Society, according to relay co-chairwoman Tammy Cotton.
More than 95 percent of the funds raised goes toward cancer research and programs.
"Our main objective (of the relay) is to get the word out" and get families involved in the fight against cancer, Cotton said.
Kosciusko County Relay for Life will be held at the Kosciusko County Fairgrounds from 8 a.m. June 16 to 8 a.m. June 17.
Registration for Relay for Life will be at 7 a.m. Saturday. The opening ceremony will be at 8 a.m.
"That's a really neat time to be there," said Cotton of the opening ceremony. A cancer survivor will speak and "all cancer survivors will take the first lap by themselves," she said.
The 24-hour family event will feature many activities for children and adults alike.
Four bands will play Saturday.
Memories will perform at 1 p.m. The Twine Brothers, a bluegrass band, will perform at 2 p.m., with the Jim Miller Band performing at 3 p.m. Christian music fans will be entertained at 6 p.m. by The Sonny Taylor Band, Fort Wayne.
Each hour of the relay will feature a different theme and different activities will be held.
At 11 a.m. Saturday, the theme is "Preserving Life is What it's All About." Participants will wear life preservers.
"Funny Hat" is the theme for the noon lap and at 1 p.m. is the "Elvis look-a-like" lap.
The scavenger hunt is back this year and will be at 4 p.m., with the theme of the lap being "Hawaiian."
At 5 p.m. is the Hula Hoop contest with bingo and a limbo contest at 7 p.m.
Walkers will need to wear something to do with cooking for the 8 p.m. theme "Cooking up a Cure."
At 10 p.m., men will dress up as women for the "My Fair Lady" contest, then lap walkers/runners will be dressing up in Mardi Gras attire at 11 p.m.
Pajamas is the theme for the midnight lap with togas at 1 a.m. Sunday and a bad hair lap at 2 a.m. A wheelchair race will also be at 2 a.m.
For those still awake at 3 a.m. Sunday, there will be a '70s disco lap and a disco contest.
Prizes will be given for all the themed contests.
The luminary ceremony will be at 9 p.m. Saturday. The ceremony recognizes people who lost their lives to cancer or are battling cancer. During the luminary ceremony, a list of names of those who died of cancer or are battling the disease will be read.
At 5 a.m. Sunday, there will be a sunrise service. A local pastor will give a mini-service and prayer.
Before concluding the event, awards and prizes will be given out at 7 a.m. for the most creative camp site theme, team prizes and prizes for the person who raised the most money.
Relay for Life teams are composed of individuals representing businesses, families, churches, schools, clubs, friends and organizations. Team members take turns walking or running around the track for 24 hours. The teams pitch tents, have food and games and enjoy entertainment.
Each campsite for each team also will be raising funds for the American Cancer Society.
For more information about the Relay for Life, call Cotton at 877-632-5999.
