From Staff Reports

The reason is serious, but nothing says serious can’t also be fun.

The annual county Relay for Life will be held April 26 at the Demopolis SportsPlex. The event is the major fundraising activity of the American Cancer Society to support education, patient services and research in the fight to end cancer.

Teams are in good-natured competition with each other to raise the most money both before and during Relay for Life. They set up tents and booths and spend hours at the Relay site enjoying the activities.

This year the Marengo County Unit of the ACS is adding even more fun with a Carnival. With the idea of drawing children and their parents to the event, several Relay for Life teams plan booths with food and games.

Gulf States Paper will sponsor bingo, while the team from Bryan W. Whitfield Memorial Hospital is setting up dart balloons, and Robertson Banking Company will host a cake walk.

A carnival-must have food, and items for sale to eat include hot dogs from Deep South Network, popcorn from Regions Bank and soft drinks sponsored by Linden Elementary.

For the team activities tickets will be on sale at four for $1.

Unlimited use of the Moonwalk, Slide, Obstacle Course and Dunking Booth will be available with the purchase of a bracelet for $5.

Bryan W. Memorial Hospital/Cancer Center is the Title Sponsor for the 2002 Relay for Life. Other sponsors are Robertson Banking Company, Holifield Clinic, Parr’s, Inc. and Gulf States Paper