Relay For Life event touts birthdays

Birthdays — in particular, being able to celebrate more of them in the future — is the theme for the upcoming Allen County Relay For Life.
The overnight relay, which begins early Friday evening at the courthouse square, again will raise funds for the American Cancer Society.
Organizers will ask a single question to all attendees: “Where in the world would you like to celebrate your birthday?”
Jennifer Conaway and Laura Vogel, two of the organizers for this year’s relay, are eager to hear the answers.
“Me, I’d like to be on the beach,” Vogel said.
And while the birthday theme will be evident throughout, the centerpiece of the events once again will be the 12-hour relay that starts at 7 o’clock Friday and winds up at 7 a.m. Saturday.
At last count, 15 teams have signed up, although that number no longer can accurately predict how many will show up, Conaway said. Some teams participate solely to raise funds without walking.
Since the relay moved to the courthouse square about five years ago, participation has increased substantially through folks who show up that night to help.
“Being downtown has really made a big difference,” Conaway said.
The festivities kick off about 5 p.m. Friday with a number of inflatable attractions. Youngsters of all ages can bounce around. Admission is a wristband that sells for $8 in advance — just ask a team member — or $10 the night of the relay.
The survivors’ lap begins the official relay at 7.
Each survivor will be given a distinctive purple shirt and are invited to introduce themselves and tell the audience how long they’ve been fighting the disease.
John Barker will serve as DJ to serenade walkers throughout the evening, although a stage will be set up for a number of singers to perform, including Iolan Saundra Upshaw and Lloyd Houk of Moran.
Many of the teams will have tents set up with other activities as well, Conaway said. Each tent will be judged for their decorations by people placing coins or dollar bills in a bucket at the tents. The tent with the most “votes” wins.
Participants can once again purchase luminarias — suggested price $10 — to light in honor of a cancer survivor or in memory of a cancer victim. In addition, DVDs of last year’s relay will be sold.
At about 4 a.m. Saturday, members of the Kappa Alpha sorority will serve breakfast to those still up and walking.
Conaway said precautions also are being taken for the sweltering summer heat.
A large tent equipped with fans will be set up for folks to keep cool if they become overheated.