Relay for Life set for Saturday

Wanda English Burnett - Editor

For more than a decade people have been participating in the Ripley County Annual Relay for Life event helping to raise money for cancer research.

This year will mark the 11th year for the event that will begin with a torch run at Batesville’s Liberty Park at 7:20 a.m. this Saturday and end at the Batesville High School Track.

Featured torch runners include: Dr. Stephen Glaser, Mayor Rick Fledderman, Carla Stenger, Jon Strautman, Jennifer and Elizabeth Hall and local cancer survivor Karen Trenkamp, who will carry the torch one lap around the track and light the “Relay Flame of Hope” that will burn throughout the 24 hour event.

Jennifer and Elizabeth Hall will finish onto the track carrying the torch in memory of their mother, Judy Hall, who lost her battle to cancer last year.

The opening ceremony will begin at 8:00 a.m. on the main stage with colors presented and the Pledge of Allegiance by Junior Girl Scout Troop 7922. The Tri-County Harmonizers will lend their blend of voices in singing the National Anthem. Cancer survivors will take the opening lap at 8:00 a.m. immediately followed by the Caregivers Lap. The Team Flag Ceremony will begin at 8:30 a.m.

Several groups will provide stage entertainment throughout the 24-hour event including: Tri-County Harmonizers, The Eureka Bank, SE IN YMCA Karate Demonstration, CRB, Cousin Eddie, Over The Edge, Momentary Relapse, The Wild Dogs, Matrix, Mike & Jason, Cpt. Goo & The Yee-Yees, Celebration Sounds, Johnson’s Action Headquarters, C&B DJ.

There will be a Luminaria Service on Saturday at 9:00 p.m. Luminaria’s may be purchased in memory or in honor of loved ones throughout the day on Saturday until 7:00 p.m. for a donation of $5.00 each.

A variety of adult and children’s events will take place including a cornhole tournament, volleyball tournament, “Miss”ter Relay Pageant (1:30 a.m. June 18, for men only) and a Euchre tournament at 5:00 a.m. on Sunday.

Children’s activities will include a variety of games beginning at 10:30 on Friday with a Scavenger Hunt at 2:00 p.m. Games will include: Bean Bag Toss, Plinko, Milk Jug Toss, Water Balloon Toss, Spinning Wheel, Tattoos, and Face Painting.

Special lap activities will include a Nerd Lap on Saturday at 1:30 featuring “how nerdy can you look?”; a Crazy Hat Lap at 5:00 p.m.; and on Sunday at noon a Pajama Lap (slip into your PJ’s and join the slumber party).

A Haircutting Relay will take place on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Haircuts will be given for a free will donation with all proceeds benefiting the Relay for Life of Ripley County. There will be a Basket Bonanza at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday featuring Longaberger baskets, along with a silent auction from 9:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Saturday. All proceeds will benefit the event.

A team from South Ripley schools will be on the track for their tenth year, according to Janice Wilson, team captain. They will be running in memory of Norman McIntosh this year. Many area teams will take to the track to raise money and awareness of cancer and to honor loved ones who have lost the battle to this dreadful disease.

For more information on the event you can contact event coordinator Karen Wallpe at 912-934-4152 or 812-614-3905.