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2015 Survivors Lap

Tallassee Relay this weekend

By Michael Butler

Tallassee Relay for Life returns on Friday, June 4 at J. E. "Hot" O'Brien Stadium. The venue has hosted the event since it began in Tallassee in 1994, but there was talk during the planning phase of possibly relocating the annual fundraiser for the American Cancer Society.

"(There will be) no changes this year," Relay for Life spokesperson Amber Voss said. "I did have a lot of conversations with people in the community about possibly doing some changes in the future, but we're just going to keep the traditional thing this year to not shake up things too much."

O'Brien Stadium will be busy the next two weekends. After the Relay this week, Tallassee Now! will move most of its activities to the football field next weekend. Based on turnout, the two happenings are among Tallassee's biggest annual events.

"The way people in the community have described it to me is it's like a mini-family reunion," Voss said. "Everyone gets to see people that they haven't seen in a while."

Tallassee has raised more than $2 million for the American Cancer Society over the past two decades. Last year, the community raised $99,000. This year's goal is $103,000.

"That's just phenomenal how the members of this community come together and have a passion to help fight that deadly (disease) we call cancer," Voss noted. "I attribute the success to those that have been affected by cancer, whether it's a relative, family member or neighbor."

The fundraising totals have fallen off in recent years, although still very impressive for a city of Tallassee's size.

Tallassee Relay for Life Fundraising (Previous Five Years)

2015: $99,000
2014: $126,000
2013: $130,000
2012: $156,000 (Tallassee Record)
2011: $142,000

"It's kind of a trend across the United States where our Relay for Life events are kind of going down," Voss said.

Opening ceremonies for Relay for Life will be at 6:00 p.m. on Friday. The Pride of Tallassee will play during the "Survivors Lap." The luminaries will be lit at 9:00 p.m.

"After the luminaries, we'll have closing remarks and end early this year, just a few hours of jam-packed fun," Voss concluded.

Donations will be accepted until August. For more information, visit the Tallassee Relay for Life website: www.relayforlife.org/tallasseeal.

2016 Relay for Life Schedule

3:00 p.m. - Arrival of Teams
5:00 p.m. - Survivors Reception(Field House)
6:00 p.m. - Opening Ceremony
6:30 p.m. - Survivors Lap
7:00 p.m. - River City Jazz Band
7:30 p.m. - Mt. Zion Choir and Praise Dance Group
8:00 p.m. - Rick Henderson
8:30 p.m. - Awards Presentation
9:00 p.m. - Luminaria Ceremony/Closing Remarks

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