Cancer Society event moving to Springdale in ‘19

Covington County Relay for Life organizers announced big changes for its 2019 event at an organizational meeting this week.

Relay is moving to Springdale Estate, Randi Bozeman said Thursday.

“We will still keep some of the same elements we’ve always had, but we are changing it up and making it more of a celebration of life for the survivors and their families,” she said.

Relay has set a goal of 20 teams and $80,000. The event is a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society.

“We will start at 6 o’clock, as usual, with an opening ceremony,” Bozeman said. “We plan to combine the survivor and caregiver lap.

“We’re not sure where we will do the survivors’ dinner, but we’re thinking maybe a tent on the grounds of Springdale. We’ve heard from our survivors that they don’t want to feel separated from everyone else.”

For the “relay” part of the event, teams and community members will walk from Springdale to the Court Square and back.

“We plan to have it blocked off for that bit of time,” she said. “That’s the one relay. We’ll still have a DJ and games. Teams can set up around Springdale, but they’re not required to do a tent site.”

This year’s theme is “taking it to the street,” so literal walk in the street fits, she said.

At Springdale, organizers plan to create a carnival-type scene with food and games.

“We will also have a team competition, and cardboard car race,” she said.

The luminary ceremony will include a moment of silence, she said.

Relay for Life 2019 is set for April 26. Monthly planning meetings will begin on Jan. 15.