Rockingham youngsters pedal for Relay for Life

By the time parents, grandparents and even a few great-grandparents were added to the 24 youngsters participating in Saturday’s Trike-a-Thon for Relay for Life, the crowd gathered around the Mayodan Park gazebo numbered near 100.

“This is really exciting to see this kind of turnout for our first Trike-a-Thon,” said Lisa Davis. “Everyone has done such a great job decorating everything from the tricycles to the kids themselves. This is really a joy to watch.”

Shortly after 10 a.m., a line of youngsters ranging from toddlers in wagons to preschoolers on tricycles or bikes began a lap around the walking trail at the park. Led by Buggles the Clown, the parade stretched out nearly halfway around the track.

“Now that’s a wonderful sight,” said Davis, organizer of the event.

This was the 10th year Davis has been involved with Relay for Life. She said her commitment to the fundraising endeavor began with an uncle’s diagnosis of leukemia.

“We started out with a Relay team made up of a few family members,” she said. “Now we have a team through First Bank of Mayodan with more than 35 members.”

Saturday’s event raised more nearly $3,800 toward the goal of $167,000 for the 13th annual Rockingham County Relay of Life. The goal for neighboring Stokes County, whose Relay for Life event will also be held this Friday and Saturday, is $68,000.

Bree Myers — the American Cancer Society’s income manager for Rockingham, Stokes, Alamance and Caswell counties — said the goals set for both counties reflects a good increase from the previous year. Rockingham County’s Relay event raised more than $157,000 for cancer research last year. Stokes County contributed just over $68,000.

“Both counties have demonstrated strong commitments to the event and to the American Cancer Society,” Myers said. “They each always hold great events that reflect a lot of local support.”

The Relay for Life events in both Rockingham and Stokes counties begin with opening ceremonies at 6 p.m. Following the presentation of colors, national anthem, prayer and welcome, both events will commence with the presentation of cancer survivors and a special Survivors’ Lap.

Other participants join the survivors during the second lap and the long night of walking begins. A Luminaria Ceremony begins at 9:30 p.m. in Rockingham County and at 9 p.m. in Stokes.

Entertainment for Rockingham County begins at 7 p.m. with local band The Impacts. The line dancers from the Eden YMCA perform at 8:15 p.m. A basket silent auction begins at 9 p.m. and a special Fight Back Ceremony will be held at 10:30 p.m. Overnight activities from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. include a midnight movie.

In Stokes County, pre-walk entertainment includes an Elvis impersonator at 3 p.m. and Broken Bread at 4 p.m. Libby Hanes begins the evening entertainment at 7 p.m., followed by the Basement Pickers at 8 p.m. The Impacts perform for the Stokes Relay teams at 9:30 p.m. and Mrs. C’s Group performs at 10:30 p.m. Stokes County holds its Fight Back Ceremony at 11:30 p.m.

Closing ceremonies in Stokes County begin at 8:30 a.m. Saturday. In Rockingham County, there will be a sunrise service at 6:30 a.m., followed by a special Kids’ Relay Walk at 8 a.m. and closing ceremonies at 9:30 a.m.

• News editor Steve Lawson can be reached at slawson@reidsvillereview.com or at 548-6047.