Rosie Blacketer/Herald-Chronicle

Rosie Blacketer | Reporter

“Relay For Life is the hope that those lost to cancer will never be forgotten, that those who are battling cancer will be supported and that one day cancer will be eliminated,” is a motto of the American Cancer Society Relay For Life was held Sept. 19-20 at the Lyndon High School track. This year’s theme was “25 Years of Partying All Night.” The first relay was held in 1984. This year’s relay raised over $55,000.

The relay started 5 p.m. with the opening of silent auction bids. Nicole Majors, Osage City, entertained the crowd with a wide selection of songs. Her final song of the evening, “How Great Thou Art,” was so filled with emotion, that everyone in attendance knew the reason for being there.

At 6 p.m. Eva Anschutz and Carol Kurtz officially opened the relay. Boy Scout Troop 106, Osage City, consisting of Devin Trout, Donnie Curtis, and Jack Curtis, raised the flag, while Majors sang “Star Spangled Banner.”

Allie Chase and Rachel King, Osage City High School, beat on drums as they led all the survivors around the track. Each of the 19 teams was then introduced as they made a lap around the track.

Entertainment filled the night as team members walked the track until 6 a.m. Ms. Jandi’s School of Dance, Burlingame, performed mid field and music was presented by Andrew and Karen Walker’s Solid Rock Sound Machine.

Many of the teams, had set up tent areas, displaying signs that represented stomping out cancer. Carbondale Lion’s Club members judged the most creative tent contest.

Pastor Michael McKee, Lyndon United Methodist Church, gave the invocation as the luminary ceremony began. Bridget Middleton and Bob Mills spoke about how they survived cancer.

Everyone in attendance joined in to help light over 1,000 luminaries in honor of those who lost their battle with cancer, while Jon and Wanda Wilhite read the names. Tiki torches were lit in memory of those who lost their fight with cancer in the past year in Osage County.

Other events through the night included a “fight back” ceremony with Wanda Kinney, Amy Kralicek and Julie Trout. Pizza madness started at midnight, with the help of Buzzard’s, Legends and Pizza Hut. Games such as a balloon relay, cookie walk, limbo, line dancing, musical chairs, poker lap, relay bingo, scavenger hunt and water relay, helped keep the participants awake during the night.

The closing ceremony, lead by Ann Becker and Barbara Prost, began at 5:30 a.m. Breakfast was served by Janet French and Casey’s stores at 6 a.m., followed by a drawing for all those who participated throughout the night.