This year's Rockdale County's Relay for Live event will return to its roots by returning to the former Maxell plant location at 1400 Parker Road.

The American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, is a celebration of life.  This is an event that takes place each spring across the nation. This event is a gathering of the community to create awareness about the need to raise money for cancer research. Schools, hospitals, churches and local businesses, etc., will form teams to try to raise as much money as they can to contribute to “the cure.”

Rockdale County “Relay for Life” began 20 years ago and was first held at Rockdale High School. Participants from each team would walk overnight from 7pm to 7am around the track, making sure there was always a team member on the track throughout the event. As participation grew in the following years the event was relocated to the Georgia International Horse Park. This year however, “Relay for Life” will be relocated once more to the Government Annex building on Parker Road. 

Along with the location change, this year ‘Relay’ will take place during the daytime on Saturday, April 27, from 10am to 10pm, making it a one day event. In the past it had always been an overnight function. The time change is in the hope to encourage many more participants and teams to join the festivities.

The event begins with an opening ceremony honoring survivors and caregivers. Survivors and caregivers then participate in a one lap Celebration Walk. The crowd lines the track and cheers them on in a moment of uplifting celebration.

Another poignant event during ‘Relay’ is the “Luminary Service.” This service begins with a lone bagpiper slowly walking around the track. Luminary bags are purchased and dedicated to loved ones lost and to those still fighting their battle with cancer. The bags are often decorated with photographs, poetry, drawings, or simply just a name, and then lit for all to see. 

Throughout the event teams conduct their own fundraising activities such as selling food, drinks, face painting, crafts, etc.  Also available is a children’s play area complete with bouncy castle, snow cones, crafts, and much more.  Live entertainment from local school choirs, dance groups and individuals will surely help to keep the ‘Relay’ spirit alive. 

Rockdale's “Relay for Life” is looking for more people from the community to start their own team or join an existing local team. For more information on the event and teams, visit www.relayforlife.org/rockdalega.