It may be freezin’ now, but forecasters are predicting nothing but sunny skies and spring temperatures for Saturday’s Cancer Freeze event.

The fundraising event was established in 2007 by Caleb Davidson in memory of family and friends who had passed away with cancer. Proceeds will be split among nine beneficiaries, after, for a $20 entry fee, skiers brave the waters of Florala’s Lake Jackson in the middle of the winter.

But this year, with a forecasted high of 72 degrees, participants may just be chillin’ on Saturday, Davidson said.

“But that’s OK, too,” he said. “We were excited to see the forecast change, because that weather that came in Tuesday was actually scheduled to come in over the weekend, if you can imagine that.

“Now, it looks like we’re going to have beautiful weather,” he said.

As of Tuesday, 207 had registered for the 5K. [Click here.]

Davidson said a multitude of events are scheduled to help raise money for this year’s nine recipients.

There’s a gospel sing at Florala’s First Baptist Church Friday night, as well as a slate of events on Saturday, including a chili cook-off, bass tournament, silent auction, car show and more. Davidson said District Attorney Walt Merrell has even pledged to shave his head if $10,000 is collected by Saturday.

“So far, we’re half way at $5,000, but it’s looking like a likelihood,” Davidson said.

Davidson said he expects visitors from as far away as Georgia, Mississippi and Tennessee on Saturday.

“The lady from Georgia wants to start a fundraiser, and she’s coming to watch how we do it – which is amazing,” he said. “I think we’re going to have the biggest crowd we’ve ever seen, and we can’t wait.”

This year’s beneficiaries are Rylan Pettie, Megan Kelley and Bailey Byrd, all of Andalusia; the family of the late Glenn Morris of Crestview, Fla.; Richard Barnes of Florala, and Sheryl Evans and Stacey Spears Leddon of Paxton, Fla., and Florala Mayor Robert Williamson.

For more information about the event, visit cancerfreeze.net.

 

 

 

 

 

 

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

7 a.m. to Noon – Bass Tourney $50 per boat.

7 a.m. – 10 a.m. – pancakes or Biscuit and gravy, $5 per person.

7 a.m. – Raffle begins inside the Rodney J. Evans Conference Center. See Raffle table for ticket purchase.

8 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Blood/Platelet Drive by LifeSouth.

8:45 a.m. – All 5K Participants meet at amphitheater for National Anthem and prayer

9 a.m – 5K run/walk begins at airplane – finish line marked – return to amphitheater for award presentations. Cost is $25 per person. Register at active.com or print application at Cancerfreeze5k.com. May register day of event but no t-shirt guarantee.

9 a.m. – Music begins at amphitheater (entertainment throughout the day).

9 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. – Register for Poker Run. 10:30 AM Kickstands Up! (Huddle House)

9 a.m. – 4 p.m. – Balloon Release every hour with church bells. Cost $3 each or two for $5.

Free inflatables for kids; however, parents must stay with children.

10 a.m. – Opening ceremonies at amphitheater

10 a.m. – 3 p.m. – Car show (beside airplane)

10:30 a.m. – Shave Your Lid for A Kid! Cost $10 per person.

11 a.m. – Chili cook-off. Vote with your change. The pot with most money wins. INSIDE

Noon – Watersports begin – Davidson leads off, with everyone else to follow. Cost is $20 per person.

1 p.m. – Live Auction begins inside Rodney J. Evans Building.

2 p.m. – Skifetch demonstration.