Sue Trawick, Kenny Walters, and Lisa Culpepper, luminara chair, prepare for this year's Relay for Life, scheduled Saturday, May 7. The theme for this year is Happy Birthday is our Victory Song.

    The annual American Cancer Society fund-raiser Relay For Life is often described as a fun-filled event. But there is also a serious side to Relay.

    It occurs later in the evening, after all the fanfare of the opening ceremony and kickoff Survivor’s Walk. At around 10 p.m., all lights are turned off for a moment of silence and the only thing visible are hundreds of sand-filled paper bags illuminated by a single candle.

    “That is the time when we get to the essence of Relay,” said Lisa Culpepper, chairman of the ceremony known as luminaria.

    “It is the only time Relay For Life stops during the all-night walk for cancer. It’s when participants have the opportunity to remember loved ones, as well as honor those who are battling cancer,” Culpepper said.

    Last year, more than 700 of the bags were placed around the perimeter of the track at Northeast Park on Highway 39 North – site for this year’s 12-hour community fight against cancer.

    “We’re trying to double that number this year,” Culpepper said. “We’ve done really well and hope to reach our goal of $25,000 for luminarias.”

    And the cost to purchase a bag is still just $10, she added.

    The bags will feature the names of those who have battled cancer. The Dr. Scott Anderson Family are sponsors of the ceremony.

    Local radio personality Todd “Sharky” Rupe of 97.1 FM, WOKK Country and Kenny Walters will join Culpepper in conducting the ceremony. In addition to the reading of the names of the honorees, the luminaria event will also include a self-penned poem read by Sue Trawick, as well as the presentation of two original songs – “Angel Eyes” and “The Dance” – by Wes Lee.

    Forms to purchase luminarias are available at all Meridian locations of Citizens National Bank, Regions Bank and Community Bank. Additional information is available by calling (601) 453-4005.

    Luminarias may also be purchased Thursday, from 4 p.m.-6 p.m., at Northeast Park and on the day of the Relay For Life event.

Important Relay Dates

    • Today – Survivors Reception, from 2 p.m.-4 p.m., Kahlmus Auditorium, Mississippi State University, Meridian. Event will include a silent auction for a 2009 Relay For Life Quilt.

    • May 7-8 – Relay For Life event , from 6 p.m. May 7 to 6 a.m. May 8, Northeast Park on Highway 39.

    Information about how to form a team or become involved in Relay For Life is available from the American Cancer Society at (800) ACS-2345, or visit www.RelayForLife.org