By Kathi Calahan

Special to the Tribune

Neither rain nor fog could dampen the spirit of those participating in the 2013 Relay For Life of Marshall County held from Friday, June 7, to Saturday, June 8, at the Expo Center on Robin Hood Road.

The event began with the presentation of colors by Shane Petty, Chief Ranger Tennessee State Parks, with his horse Dodge Hemi, while Chelsea Hastings performed our national anthem. After this, sincere thanks was offered to the corporate sponsors for the event: Marshall Medical Center, the presenting sponsor, for their continued support and generosity, CKNA, NHC Lewisburg, CB&S Bank, First National Bank, Lewisburg Printing, WJJM radio, and Fast Pace Urgent Care.

The first lap of every Relay event is the survivor lap. After being treated to a reception, the survivors are introduced individually and take a lap around the track to the applause of all present. On the second lap, the survivors are joined by caregivers, those who support the cancer patient throughout their illness.

The third lap of Relay is for team introductions. This year 14 teams participated and were introduced to the crowd along with a large support group walking with cancer patient Cindy Woodard. After team introductions each team keeps at least one member on the track walking for the remainder of the 12-hour event. Walking overnight represents a cancer patient's battle to beat the disease. The onset of darkness representing the time a cancer patient is diagnosed; through the night, the time during treatment when the patient wants to give up as do many of our walkers; and sunrise when the cancer patient is coming out of treatment to a new day as our walkers realize they've made it through the night and the end of Relay is close at hand.

At 8:30 p.m. the Queen of Relay Womanless Beauty Pageant began with 15 contestants. Contestants were presented in both sportswear and formal wear and earned votes by collecting money prior to and during the event. When final votes were tabulated these men had collected more than $1,600 for the fight against cancer. The winners were Mr. Congeniality Dixie Willamena Weaver (Dorris Wayne Weaver), 2nd Runner Up Freda Haley (Fred Haley), 1st runner up Geraldine Dale (Jerry Dale), and People's Choice and Overall Winner Scottella Bidwell (Scott Bidwell).

The luminaria ceremony began at 9:30 p.m. Several hundred personalized luminaries were sold throughout the year and, with lights out and candles burning, gave those present an opportunity to remember those lost to cancer, honor those who have won the fight, and support those who are fighting today.

After the luminaria ceremony, the fun began. Teams performed a team song, in costume, and participated in "Redneck Olympics" through the night, competing for Spirit points and bragging rights.

During closing ceremonies, teams were thanked for their support and hard work throughout the year. The top teams were announced in the following categories; Spirit Point Award: Holts Corner Baptist Church; best decorated campsite: Marshall Medical Center; most money raised: CB&S bank ($6,271.83).

Marshall County has once again shown great support for Relay For Life and the fight against cancer. Our teams have collected just over $40,000 and will continue to turn money in through the end of August.