Wawasee Middle School Fellowship of Christian Athletes was one of the 15 teams participating with many teams including a cancer survivor. (Photo by Deb Patterson)

The 2014 Relay for Life: Kosciusko County started officially at 3 p.m. today and will continue until 9 a.m. Sunday at the Kosciusko County Fairgrounds.

Hundreds attended the opening ceremonies Saturday afternoon under skies that threatened rain, but quickly moved on to sunny skies. “Cancer doesn’t stop because of rain. We are not going to stop either,” stated Jay Morehead, Jr., logistic committee member.

While 26 teams registered, the event kicked off with 15 teams walking laps for 18 hours. Teams ranged from as few as five to over 30 teammembers

The committee set a goal to raise $56,000. Early evening, the tally was approximately $49,375 according to Juliana Newbill, specialist for Relay For Life. “I think we’ll make it,” she stated with Deb Fitzsimmons, local chairwoman and cancer survivor, exclaiming “That’s great! Fantastic!”

An afternoon and evening of activities were available for those who were there to walk or support the walkers. Among the activities were a car and motorcycle show, survivor dinner with free manicures for survives, a fishing contest where contestants fished marbles out of the ice with their toes along with walkers being able to “fish for a prize.”

Other events prior to the Fight Back Ceremony, survivor-ship birthday party and purple dance part included a Jim Reeves Circus reenactment and the GGC Band. The band continued following the ceremony providing entertainment for spectators and walkers.

A moving luminaria ceremony was held at 10 p.m. during which walkers were asked to make a silent lap. Other activities include: Random Play performing at the main stage with an equestrian lap from 10:30 p.m. and 12:30 a.m. Sunday. An annoying song money drive will be at 12:30 a.m. followed at 1 a.m. with Karaoke with Chris Cage.

If your awake, don’t miss the Duck Tape Fashion Show at 2 a.m. and scavenger hunt at 3 a.m.

A church service with Butch Troke will be held at 7 a.m. and closing ceremonies at 9 a.m.

Throughout the evening walkers will be participating in a variety of fun laps – team spirit, popcorn party, a karaoke lap with participants dressing as his/her favorite band member or artist or wearing a favorite concert T-sirt, a nature lap, funny hat, athlete, crazy socks, prayer lap and tutu lap.

In case you missed any of the events or want to see some of the participants take a look at the videos of the opening ceremonies, survivor lap, caregiver lap, parade of teams, Fight Back ceremony, survivor birthday party and purple dance party.