Relay for Life, the American Cancer Society’s national signature event, was introduced to Lee County in 2005. After an award winning first effort, being named the “2005 Rookie Relay of the Year” by the South Atlantic Division of the American Cancer Society which includes several states and Washington, DC, the 2006 Relay met with success as well, raising over $115,000, this time bringing several awards from the ACS back to Lee County.
The bar obviously has been raised for the 3rd Annual Lee County Relay for Life which will kick-off with the Cancer Survivors Victory Lap at 6 p.m. on Friday, June 22, at Leeman Field in Pennington Gap, Va. The Victory Lap is a tradition at each Relay held nationwide. All cancer survivors are invited to participate in this important first lap and are encouraged to register at the Relay between 5 and 5:45 p.m. Light refreshments will be available for survivors during this time.
Each year organizers seek ways to make the Relay experience one that is both entertaining and inspirational. This year’s Relay promises to deliver that objective once again with an exciting special guest star scheduled to perform. The “King of Rock & Roll” is coming to the 2007 Lee County Relay for Life! Jim Harrison, an Elvis impersonator, from Shelby Township, Mich., will be performing at 7:15 p.m. on June 22 with an encore appearance at 9 p.m. Harrison has been performing in the persona of Elvis for the past 17 years for all occasions including fairs, festivals and birthday celebrations. One such appearance of note was when he was asked by a local radio DJ to appear at the Royal Oak Music Theater on Ted Nugent’s 40th birthday.
Harrison says he was standing backstage as Nugent performed then walked out, much to Nugent’s surprise! At Nugent’s request, the two of them sang “Blue Suede Shoes” together to the delight of the audience. Harrison and his band have also done the opening act for Stella Parton, Dolly Parton’s sister.
Having been a fan of Elvis all his life, Harrison stated he got his start when he went to see an Elvis impersonator in Memphis, MI. There was an Elvis-Look-Alike contest that night but as he was sporting a full beard at the time he didn’t enter although his friends encouraged him to do so. The following year he went back with sideburns trimmed and won. The rest, as they say, is history. He was never fortunate enough to see Elvis in person but performing as the “King” fulfills a dream he had since a boy.
Through the sponsorship of Norton Floral, Williams Auto Parts, Bates Family Tire and Myers Home Center, those attending Relay will be treated to two live performances by “Elvis”. Harrison stated his mother is a cancer survivor and he hopes to bring a large crowd to have a great time and enjoy good entertainment at the Relay.
Twenty-two Relay teams will offer those attending a variety of fund raising activities as well as an abundance of good food including polish sausages, hot dogs, hamburgers, BBQ, grilled corn on the cob, snow cones and fried bologna sandwiches, not to mention all the baked goodies. For those with a competitive spirit there will be a pie eating contest, a treasure hunt and a scavenger hunt. If there is a “hippy” hidden somewhere in your psyche, this can be appeased by purchasing a tie-dyed T-shirt with a donation to benefit Relay for Life.
As Relay for Life is an event for the whole family, there will also be numerous children’s activities at several of the team’s tents including games, face painting, a duck pond, tattooing and a children’s obstacle course. Wright’s Inflatables will feature a Kids Bounce House and slide and the “wacky bicycle” will be back, which is a challenge to grown-ups as well. A new feature this year will be the “Kids Walk” from 8:30 - 9 p.m. in which children only will walk laps on the track accompanied by “Safety Pup” and “McGruff” from the Sheriff’s Dept. as well as “Silly Sally the Clown.”
The Triple C team (Cops Combating Cancer) is sponsoring the dunking booth manned by local law enforcement officers and a jail in which you can pay to have your friends “arrested” and incarcerated. Weather permitting the swimming pool will be open from 8-9:30 p.m. The outrageously funny “Mr. Relay” contest was such a crowd pleaser in its debut last year that it is back by popular demand beginning at 10:40 p.m.
Leroy and Vickie Muse Karaoke, T & T Karaoke and Good Tymes Karaoke will all be present at different times during the evening so anyone who wants to give themselves a shot at stardom will have ample opportunity. The crowd can enjoy music by Kelley Nelson, Ashley Jones, the Wells Chapel AME Choir, Mike Litton and Disciples of Christ. A different offering, Signs for Life, a signing group featuring music, black lights and props is scheduled to take the stage at 1:45 a.m.
Organizers sponsored a new event this year loosely patterned after the currently popular TV show “American Idol”. If you missed the preliminary elimination round of the “Relay Idol” competition on June 9, you still have a chance to hear the top five finalists perform. The final round of “Relay Idol” is scheduled to begin at 7:50 p.m. so be sure to come and cheer on your favorite contestant. The five finalists are Ashley Long, Stacie Newton, Mark Ross, Mike Sprinkle and Morgan Wheeler.
The inspirational part of the evening comes with the beginning of a new tradition at the Lee County Relay and the observance of an established one. This year organizers have planned a “Memorial Wall” on which pictures of loved ones who have lost their battle to cancer may be placed. Pictures should be no larger than 8 x 10 and relay officials suggest that only copies be used. The Relay Committee cannot be responsible for the return of photographs.
Also observed at every American Cancer Society Relay for Life nationwide is a candlelight ceremony with luminaria held in remembrance of those who have passed away from cancer and in honor of those who have survived. Luminaria are white paper bags with the name of the person for which it is dedicated written on front. After dark the bags are lit with votive candles and placed lining the walking track. The lights are turned off leaving only the illumination from the luminaria creating a warm glow while everyone takes the track for a lap in silence. Hundreds of luminaria line the track, each one representing a life that has been touched by cancer. Bagpiper Randy Stanley will provide music during this ceremony and time of reverent reflection on those lives represented.
The Lighting of the Luminaria Ceremony for the 2007 Lee County Relay for Life will be at 10 p.m. Friday, June 22 at Leeman Field in Pennington Gap. Luminaria may be dedicated by making a donation of $5 for each one requested. You do not have to be a participant in the Relay itself to provide this tribute to loved ones who have battled cancer. Dedication of luminaria for the Lee County Relay for Life may be made by contacting any local Relay for Life team member, by calling Donna at (276) 346-3551, Diane at (276) 346-1732, or by calling The American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345. Luminaria may also be purchased at the Relay prior to 9 p.m.
In addition to the teams’ activities, the contests and entertainment, Wild Mountain Thyme will be there with a coffee shop offering various flavors and types of coffee for the java connoisseurs out there, or those who would like to be for the evening. One of the Relay teams is offering used books as a fund raiser which would be a perfect complement to a good cup of coffee. The Mountain Laurel Cancer Support and Resource Center, a program of Mountain Empire Older Citizens, will have information about their services and a massage therapist on hand to help work out the kinks from laps around the track or from the work day just finished. A Lenowisco Health District representative will also have information on cancer statistics pertaining to this area.
You can stay updated on happenings at the Relay through live radio broadcasts from WJNV 99.1 FM and WSWV 105.5 FM. Heritage TV Comcast Cable Channel 56 will be on site as well offering a chance to “Say Hi”, located in the gazebo, as a fund raiser for Relay. Please make plans to attend the Lee County Relay for Life this year and experience this wonderful event for yourself. Join your community in the fight against cancer.
Closing ceremonies are planned for 2 a.m. Saturday, June 23.
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