Plans are well underway for the 2018 Stoddard County Relay for Life event to take place at Dexter's East City Park on the evening of Friday, May 4.
A host of activities are on the agenda for this year's Relay, with all proceeds going to the American Cancer Society to help fund cancer research and education. Relay is co-chaired each year by Jennifer Hartlein and Belinda Worley.
Various Relay teams will be setting up their booths on the park grounds throughout the day May 4. Booths will be in business, offering a host of items and services, beginning at 4 p.m.
Dexter Tumbling and Cheer participants will be performing at 4:30 p.m. followed by Stoddard County Youth Talent with Jayden Strickland. Area youth will be providing talent throughout the evening.
At 5:15 p.m., students from Carrillo Martial Arts will be taking center stage once again, followed this year by another youth talent, Torrie Skinner.
The opening ceremony is slated to begin at 6 p.m. and will be followed by another youth talent, Olivia Lacy.
A silent auction will follow, and then members of Boy Scout 200 will provide the Presentation of Colors ceremony.
Robert Monroe will be singing the National Anthem this year, and Pastor Scott Sifford of the Stoddard County Cowboy Church will offer prayer. Kennedy Robertson will follow with more youth talent.
Relay organizers will then introduce the top fundraisers and teams for the 2018 Relay for Life.
Mia Williams will follow with more youth talent, and then canines, Roxy and Riley, will provide their Doggie Talent.
Following a Dance Party and the formal introduction of survivors and their caregivers, those honored guests will take to the oval track at East City Park for the traditional first lap for Relay 2018.
The second lap of Relay will involve, "Paws for a Cause," with awards offered for best dressed "paws" taking place at the Relay for Life Pet Pavilion.
Macie Jarrell will then present more youth talent for the public to enjoy, followed by a Community Worship service at 7 p.m. presented by Liberty Hill General Baptist Church.
The Live Auction will begin at 7:30 p.m., and the Silent Auction will end at 9 p.m., followed by Laughs for Life from Stoddard County Youth Talent.
Relay Royal Rumble
At 9:30 p.m., a new feature will take center stage -- the Relay Royal Rumble will begin with Impact Wrestling's TV Host and Dexter native, Mackenzie Mitchell.
For 2018, each Relay team will be asked to enter a wrestler for the Relay Royal Rumble. The contestants may come from within the community or be a member of a Relay team. Each wrestler, dressed in his/her classic wrestling garb, will be introduced and then be released to the crowd to solicit donations for their Relay team. The wrestler collecting the most money will don the championship belt. Wrestler will meet at the stage at 9:15 p.m.
The Lofters will present more youth talent following the rumble, followed by more talent from members of Richland Schools' Jr. Beta Club.
The annual luminary ceremony will take place at 10 p.m. The luminary ceremony is an annual highlight of Relay for Life. Luminary bags may be purchased from any Relay team member or at the Dexter Statesman offices at a cost of $5 per bag. The bags are labeled in honor or in memory of someone who has battled cancer. The bags are placed with candles inside, encircling the track, usually with the help of area Boy Scouts.
Throughout the night, Bud Shell Ford will be offering test drives at the park. Ford Motor Company donates money per test ride directly to Relay for Life. Attendees are encouraged to come out and test drive a Ford vehicle as a further means to raise money for cancer research and education.
More youth talent will follow, with Chloe Holman, Kennedy Robertson and Megan to perform separately. At 11 p.m., "Finish the Lyrics" will take place with prizes awarded.
Finally, at 12:01 a.m., the first lap will take place during the Closing Ceremony.
Relay for Life is an inspiring annual event to raise funds for the American Cancer Society. The Stoddard County event typically raises about $75,000 to $85,000 each year for cancer education and research.
The Stoddard County Relay for Life was recognized as Dexter's Chamber of Commerce Organization of the Year for 2017. It is billed as a family fun event, and the public is encouraged to attend.