Bourbon County Relay going 'Retro' June 19-20

FORT SCOTT -- Bourbon County Relay for Life organizers are preparing for their biggest event of the year -- the all-night relay walk that takes place in about two weeks.

Team members dressed in attire representing past Relay themes plan to participate in the organization's all-night "Retro Relay" event, which is scheduled to take place from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. June 19-20 at Frary Field just north of Fort Scott High School. The local chapter is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the national Relay for Life organization this year.

Chapter chairwoman Angela Carpenter said Friday that 32 teams consisting of about 313 participants will take part in the event later this month. The event will feature several activities and ceremonies to honor cancer patients, survivors, victims and caregivers. Team members will camp out at the football field and take turns walking around the track. Each team will have a representative on the track at all times during the event.

Earlier this year, Relay for Life planners set a goal of recruiting 50 teams and a fundraising goal of $85,000 in donations from community members and local businesses. About 53 corporate sponsors have lent support to this year's campaign, and the names of those sponsors will be featured on the back of team members' Relay for Life T-shirts during the Relay event, Carpenter said.

While the organization may not meet its fundraising goal this year, Carpenter said she is still impressed with the efforts of everyone involved with Relay for Life this year.

"We may not make our goal, but we've worked hard and really tried this year," she said. "Whatever we get will be great."

Teams have raised about $20,000 as of Friday, Carpenter said.

The Relay event will also feature live entertainment, guest speakers and a concessions stand. Team members plan to participate in a silent lap around the track to honor local cancer patients, survivors, victims and caregivers during a luminary ceremony and cancer memorial that evening. Luminaries are lit up and lined around the track on the night of the relay walk.

Team members will be selling luminaries at the event for $5 each, Carpenter said.

A live auction of several donated items, including signed photographs, movie tickets, Fort Scott Tiger memorabilia and gifts, and family passes to local school sporting events, is also scheduled to take place during the relay event.

Relay for Life events are the premier fundraiser for the American Cancer Society and are designed to spread awareness of cancer prevention and treatments, celebrate survivorship, and raise money for research toward finding a cure for cancer. The Bourbon County chapter raised about $53,000 for the ACS during last year's campaign.