Ready to Relay

Jasper County Relay for Life is about faith, family and fun.

It’s a local summer tradition that acts as community source of motivation and inspiration for survivors and those fighting cancer and their families and an opportunity to invite the community to show their support, uniting for a night of fun, food, music and inspiration. This year’s Jasper County Relay for Life 2015 will be from 6 to 11 p.m. Friday at H.A. Lynn Stadium in Newton.

The money raised for the event helps support American Cancer Society programs in research, education, advocacy and patient and family support both locally and statewide.

Relay for Life involves teams of people who take turns walking around the track lit in luminaries in honor of a person who has cancer or has passed away from the disease.

The evening will consist of a survivors lap, a dinner, entertainment and the lighting of the luminaries. Other food and fun will be available throughout the evening.

Slipstream

Organizers were able to find a well-known source of music from the band Slipstream to play from 6:45 to 10:45 p.m. Friday at the stadium.

Slipstream is a band from Newton and Des Moines which performs a mix of classic and soft rock from the 70s to today, from bands such as Boston, REO Speedwagon, Van Morrison and Led Zepplin to Journey, Adele, Heart and Train.

Band members include Tim Dawson, Dave Heck, Mike Maly, Rick Maly, Kim Schnell, Kimberly Schnell, Dean Stonner and Randy Wadle.

“We’re excited to be able to contribute to the success of the Jasper County Relay for Life held in Newton and look forward to the community coming out to support the cause,” Slipstream said in a news release.

Survivors Lap

Jasper County Relay for life will begin with a welcome by emcees Doree Ward and Marshall Critchfield, invocation by the Rev. Marv Potter, National Anthem by Hannah and Maxine Clark, flag raised by Denny Klingensmith and a Relay for Life song by Beaulah Starr. Also to start the festivities will be its honorees participating in a survivors lap at 6 p.m. Friday.

Any cancer survivor in the community is asked to join with fellow survivors in for the lap. This is a celebration of these individuals courageous battle. Family members are asked to walk along their loved ones as well.

Survivors are asked to register for the lap by 5:15 p.m. the night of the event. Each survivor will receive a special T-shirt that indicates they are a survivor.

Activities

Introduction of teams and major sponsors will take place following the survivors walk, and a pulled pork barbecue dinner will begin to be served at 6:30 p.m. A minimum $6 is the suggested donation for dinner.

Pence Reese Funeral Home will sponsor a free hot dog roast later in the evening at 10 p.m. and other treats such as cotton candy, snow cones, funnel cakes, popcorn and Culver’s custard will be from 6 to 10:30 p.m.

E-Clips will be available for hair cuts and Locks of Love donations from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. to help raise money toward the annual Jasper County Relay For Life.

Luminaries

The event will feature a candlelight ceremony to pay tribute to those who have been affected by cancer. Luminaries will be lit and Ron Husted will play bagpipes around 9:30 p.m. Friday. Luminaries honor those who have survived their battle with cancer, those who are still fighting and in memory of those who have passed in battle with the disease.

Each luminary costs $10 and may be purchased at Pence-Reese Funeral Home, 310 N. Second Ave. E. in Newton, or at the event at the tent located on the southwest side of the stadium bleachers.

Visit www.relayforlife.org/jaspercountyia or the 2015 Jasper County Relay for Life page on Facebook.

Contact Kate Malott at 641-792-3121 ext. 6533 or kmalott@newtondailynews.com