July 27-28, 2012 will mark the 11th annual Dell Rapids RELAY FOR LIFE, which will be held at the Dells City Park.
What is the Relay for Life? Sponsored by the American Cancer Society and local communities, the Relay is a fun-filled, overnight event which celebrates survivors, remembers those who’ve lost the battle, and raises funds for our local American Cancer Society. The concept of the Relay began in 1985 in Tacoma, Washington by Dr. Gordy Klatt who was inspired to raise funds for his local American Cancer Society and to show support for his patients who had battled cancer.
The local Dell Rapids Planning Committee consists of Alice Majeres, Elaine Hoftiezer, Aggie Randall, Jamie Randall, Jean Rave, Barb Zorr, Stacy Tisher, Erica Fersdahl, LuAnn Heidebrink, and Lindsey Holmquest (ACS Rep). These women spend countless hours making sure that everything is organized and executed for the day of the event, from recruiting and motivating teams and sponsors, to procuring the evening’s entertainment and setting up the event day track.
With the sound system monitored by Joel Clark, Deb Henriksen will again be the Master of Ceremonies along with several spectacular local entertainers. The event kicks off with Survivor Registration starting at 5:15pm, and at 6:00pm the Survivors walk a lap together to remember and celebrate the victories over cancer which have been achieved. At the most recent count, there are over 80 local cancer survivors. And, for the first time this year, the loving and dedicated caregivers will be recognized and thanked!
Not only will attendees be able to listen to the evening’s entertainers (please see schedule below), but the Boy Scouts will have a Whopper Feed beginning at 5:00pm, Dilly Bars will be for sale, and you can play BUNCO at 8pm or Plinko throughout the evening. There will also be a Fish Pond set up for the kids or the young at heart!
But the focal point of the evening will be the lighting of the Luminaria bags when it gets dark. The many decorated Luminaria bags will line the City Park pathways to light the way for those walking through the night. Last year, over 1,000 bags were lit in memory of a loved one, in honor of a survivor, or in hope for those currently fighting the battle.
The hope this year is to surpass the $24,000 raised in 2011. How can you help? Purchase a $5 Luminaria bag to decorate the pathway or just make a donation. Call either Elaine Hoftiezer (428-3679) or LuAnn Heidebrink (428-5392) for more information.
Entertainment Lineup for Friday, July 27:
5:30pm Whopper Feed by the Boy Scouts
5:30pm Concessions by Cancer Crusaders until 10pm
5:30pm Survivor Registration
6:00pm Nat’l Anthem by DRHS Quartet: Jordan Stone, Nikki Rice, Ben Hinricher, Jackson Gleason
6:05pm Survivor Walk
6:30pm Stacy Horst
7:00pm Bette Huss
7:25pm Tami & Libby Clark
7:45pm Heidi Moen
8:00pm Bunco
8:15pm Cindy Sherrill & 5 Count Rest Band
9:00pm Samantha Mathis
9:30pm Jacob Shoup
10:00pm Julie Eddy
10:30pm Danielle Schuch
Saturday, July 28:
12:00am Zumba with Julie Eddy
6:00am – Closing Worship with Pastor Andy Wright, River Community Church, officiating