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The 2012 Daviess County Relay For Life is tonight at Diamond Lake Campground and Resort.  This will be the third year in a row the event has been held at Diamond Lake's go-cart track and we're fully expecting breaking attendance records for a 3rd straight year.  I am pleased to serve as the chairperson of this great event (alongside by buddy, Jason Abney) and we and the committee have been hard at work for months to make this year's Relay in Daviess County the biggest and best yet.  Keep reading for a full schedule of the night's events!

Because this year is an Olympic year (the Summer Olympics are in London in July/August) our theme for the 2012 Relay is Life-A-Lympics!  And we plan to fully celebrate life and the Olympic spirit with a rousing evening full of inspiring events.   Here's this evening's schedule:

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6PM-  Opening Ceremonies (trackside).  In the full Olympic tradition, we will have torch runners and the lighting of the official Relay torch.  Our opening ceremony will feature honorary guest speakers (including Daviess County Judge Executive Al Mattingly Jr and Hawesville Mayor Rita Stevens), an amazing rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" by master fiddler Randy Lanham, the presentation of colors by OHS' drill team, and the explanation and presentation of our inaugural 'Tough As Nells' Award.  This will be awarded to one of our team captains, who embodies the Relay spirit and exemplifies leadership, vision and fundraising! 
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6:15pm-  The Survivor Ceremony (inside the Good Time Theatre).  Cancer survivors of all ages will be recognized, celebrated and presented with their "Olympic" medals. 

7pm-  The Survivor Lap (track).  We will welcome our guests of honor to the go-cart track for their triumphant Survivor lap!  You will not want to miss this rousing celebration of life and the fight in us all.

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7:30pm-  The Mr. Relay Pageant (trackside).  Back for the second year, Relay for Life proudly presents Mr. Relay 2012.  In the true spirit of the Games, contestants this year will represent the country of their choice and will dress in clothing inherent to that locale.  Immediately following the pageant, our contestants will board our Mr. Relay "Hope" Float . . . which will parade them through the Diamond Lake Campground to fundraise and compete for the title of Mr. Relay!  This Mardi Gras meets RuPaul's Drag Race!  It's HILARIOUS!!

8:00pm-  Nailed Too.  Local band will perform trackside.

8:45pm-  The Boothill Gang.  Regional square dance troop will perform trackside and give square dancing lessons to anyone in the crowd who feels like shaking a groove thang!

9:15pm-  The Crowning of Mr. Relay.  We will present the crown and award the title of Mr. Relay to the contestant able to raise the most money at the event.

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9:30-  The Luminary Ceremony.  This is the most powerful event of the evening.  Stand and walk with us as we pay tribute to our friends and family members who did not survive their battles with cancer.  We will stand in moments of silence and burn luminaries and torches in their honor.  We will also have a reading of names to honor the deceased and there will be special performances by Jaclyn Graves and Firm Foundation.

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10:15pm-  The Fight Back Ceremony.  This year's Fight Back Ceremony will feature our Olympic-style Team Lap.  Each team in attendance will be announced and get to parade their homemade "Olympic" banner around the track.  Those banners are to represent why each team participates in Relay for Life!  Prizes (gold, silver and bronze, of course) will be awarded to the best in show!

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10:45pm-  Firm Foundation.  Award-winning gospel quartet will entertain walkers trackside.

11:30pm-  Alex Micheal Band.  Enjoy country music trackside as the Alex Michael Band performs!

12:30am-  Jenny Beth and Emily.  Jenny Beth Willis and Emily Wills, two-thirds of the trio Straight Laced, will be along entertain the crowd as night turns to morning.

1:30am-  The Merritt Green Project.  The dynamic duo comprised of Josh Merritt and Jarred Green will entertain with their unique blend of blues-infused country and rock.

2:30am-  Kountry Bound.  Enjoy the country flavor of an exciting local duo!

3:00am-  The Line Dancing Party.  Get ready to do the ChaCha Slide, the Cupid Shuffle, and more of your favorite dances as we continue to stay up all night!

5:30am-  Closing Ceremonies

In addition to live performances throughout the night, there will also be theme half-hours from our DJ, Avon Garrison, who will be spinning the greatest hits of the 70's (with a special tribute to Donna Summer, who passed away from cancer Thursday morning at the age of 63), the 80's, 90's and today as we Relay through the night.  There will also be fun, exciting and hilarious games to play like Mr. Potato Pants, Scrabble, Junk in the Trunk, and Water Wars.

And, back for the third year in a row, we'll have our GIANT silent auction.  Bidding will begin at 6pm and continue through 8pm.  We have dozens and dozens of great items up for big and all proceeds benefit Relay For Life.  So bid often . . . and big high!

And, for the first time, Daviess County's Relay welcomes Chainsaw Willy, who will be carving amazing sculptures from wood and offering them for sale in our silent and live auction!

Remember, Relay For Life is open to the public.  You are more than welcome and encouraged to join us in this celebration!  Come on out to Diamond Lake and enjoy our Life-A-Lympics.  See you there!  Cancer never sleeps!  Tonight, we won't either!!

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