By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–There are big changes to the Henry County Relay for Life this year and it represents a lot of work on the part of the organizers.
For the first time in its history, everything will be moved to downtown Paris and it will be held on a Saturday night instead of the traditional Friday. And it will be held in the fall rather than in the middle of summer in hopes for cooler weather.
The Relay for Life is set for next weekend–Saturday, September 7 and the theme for this year’s event will be a Tailgate Party with the spotlight on Henry County versus Cancer. A lot of man (and woman) hours have gone into the planning for the event.
Organizer Debra Stoope told WENK/WTPR there will be a lot of new attractions for the event this year, which will feature live music all evening, the Henry County High School drum line, a big screen T.V. with the University of Tennessee football game playing, 13 campsites with a large variety of good food, and a Kid Zone with pony rides, dunking booth, bouncy houses and more.
For the first time, the Survivors’ Dinner will be held the same day as Relay, set at 4 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in downtown Paris. “It’s open to all cancer survivors and their guests, but they have to call or text us by Monday if they’re planning to attend,” Stoope said. You can call her at 731 336 5923 by Monday, September 2 to reserve your spot. Doors open at 4, with the dinner served at 4:30 p.m.
After dinner, vans and golf carts will be available to transport survivors the two or three blocks to the event, which will be set up around the court square.
Campsites will be open around the court square beginning around 5-5:30 p.m. The Kid Zone will operate from 6:30-9 p.m. and will cost $5 (one-time cost for the whole evening).
Welcoming ceremonies begin at 6 p.m., with the Henry County High School Madrigals performing the national anthem, with the Pledge of Allegiance and the Sheriff’s Office presenting the colors.
The lead lap for survivors will begin after the welcoming ceremonies, with the High School Drum Line at the front of the lead lap. Laps will be made around the courthouse.
Dancers from local dance studios will perform from 6:30-7 p.m., followed by Martin Paschall from 7-7:30 p.m., the band Shiloh from 7:30-8:15, the Duttons from 8:15-9 p.m., and Tabitha and Friends beginning at 9:30 p.m. Luminarias will be lit up around 9 p.m.
Stoope said awards will be presented at 11:30 p.m., and the event will be shut down at midnight.
Photo of Survivors’ Lap from 2018 Relay. (Photo by Shannon McFarlin).
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