Relay for Life celebrates 10 years tonight at Dickson County Stadium

The 10^th annual Relay for Life begins today at Dickson County Stadium and continues through the night raising funds for the American Cancer Society. The relay begins at 5 pm and continues until 5 am Saturday with walkers taking turns doing laps around the football field while over 20 various teams raise funds with a variety of booths. The opening ceremony is scheduled for 7 pm and includes the survivors’ lap followed by the caregivers’ lap. The luminaria celebration is set for 9 pm and features the lighting of candles around the stadium in memory of cancer victims and in honor of those who are still battling the disease. Retired Dickson County High School teacher Emma Hall, a cancer survivor who was a co-chair of the first Relay for Life event 10 years ago, will be the guest speaker. In honor of the event’s 10^th anniversary, the theme for 2012 is a birthday party, with a special celebration in the survivor tent at 6 pm. Activities will continue through the night with food, live music, karaoke, a silent auction, a womanless beauty pageant, games, dunking booths and more. Relay for Life teams have been holding fundraisers for several months and special awards will be presented to the top teams and best booths at the overnight event. Relay for Life organizers hope to raise $150,000 for the American Cancer Society.