Whether it’s clear or cloudy, Relay is Saturday

There will be no raining on Relay For Life of Acadia Parish 2015 this year.
After a couple of years of rain forcing Relay’s early closure, this Saturday, Relay For Life will be held at Rayne’s Frog Festival Pavilion, meaning the weather will not stop the fun or the cause Saturday, April 25, at 6 p.m.
Greeting guests this year is a full lineup as the parish is set to rally around and fight back against cancer, all while raising funds for the American Cancer Society.
Teams will be selling food such as spaghetti, jambalaya, sausage po-boys and chips, as well as sweets, keeping those in attendance well-fed. Drinks will also be sold.
Ahead of the event, teams will be able to submit money already collected and choose a tent site at Bank Night tonight (April 22) at IberiaBank. Bank Night begins at 5:30 p.m. with each team having a specific time set up. They are as follows:
• Cajun Fitness – Rayne, 5:30 p.m.
• All Nighters for the Fighters, 6 p.m.
• M.H.S. Alumni, 6:45 p.m.
• Joppe Cafe, 7 p.m.
• Ruddock’s Bakery, 7:30 p.m.
Other teams have agreed to other times throughout the night. Teams are reminded that they can begin setting up their tent sites after noon Saturday and need to be set up by 4 p.m.
There will be awards for the best tent decoration. These decorations should follow the theme Colors of Cancer and not only be colorful, of course, but informative.
For those unaware, Relay For Life’s traditional 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. schedule is typically symbolic of a cancer patient’s fight.
It starts at dusk, symbolizing the diagnosis, and, as the day gets darker, the cancer patient’s state of mind is symbolized.
As the evening grows darker and, to some extent, cooler, the emotions of a patient are once again symbolized.
A cancer patient’s treatment is symbolized during the 1 a.m. to 2 a.m. time frame.
The patient sometimes becomes sick, oftentimes exhausted and the “want-to” continue fades.
So, too, are the Relay For Life participants’ emotions at that time. But like a patient, the participants must go on.
The “end of treatment” is the 4 a.m. to 5 a.m. time frame. There is exhaustion, but everyone knows they will make it to the end.
And, as the sun rises, the cancer patient’s treatment ends. The light at the end of the tunnel is visible and it is a new day, full of new beginnings and brightness.
Participants may be tired and even a little weak, but so is a cancer patient.
Outside of the typical fun late in the night with team activities and games, there will be plenty of entertainment for the event.
There will be children’s activities, such as fun jumps, train rides and a dunking booth.
Then there will be music provided by Charlie Rivers, beginning at 7 p.m.; Le Sang LeJeune, 8:15 p.m.; Johnny Allen, 10 p.m.; TJ Gautreaux, 10:45 p.m.; and The Gypsy Sticks, 12:15 a.m.
After the live music, KBON’s Big Al will be providing DJ service, making sure there is never a lull in the action.
Survivors will be recognized with a dinner and gifts and door prizes. The dinner will be served by First United Methodist Church.
And, survivors also will be recognized as they open the night with the Survivors Lap.
Opening ceremonies begin at 6 p.m. Survivors are welcome to register that night.
Lifeshare will be on hand for a blood drive beginning at 6 p.m. as well.
Admission to the event is free, however, many items will be on sale with the proceeds all going to the American Cancer Society.
Organizers hope everyone in the community grabs their lawn chairs and heads out to Rayne Saturday.