The Fifth Annual Lincoln County American Cancer Society (ACS) Relay for Life will officially begin at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 12, at Buddy Bufford Field.

During the all-night event, teams consisting of from eight to 15 people will have at least one of their members walking around the field at all times to show support for the ACS and its mission to eliminate cancer as a major health problem.

Teams in this year's relay are being sponsored by Ebenezer Baptist Church, First Baptist Church, Mulberry C.M.E. Church, St. Luke Baptist Church, the Lincoln County Courthouse, Rehoboth Baptist Church in Appling, and Pleasant Grove C.M.E. Church.

In addition to walking, the teams will be selling a variety of delicious treats including pizza, hot dogs, barbecue sandwiches, all sorts of baked goods, candy, popcorn, and soft drinks. Moreover, a Low Country boil will be provided by First Baptist.

The Fifth Annual ACS Relay for Life will kick off with opening ceremonies at 7 p.m., followed by the Survivors' Walk. Cancer survivors, young and old, are invited to walk the opening lap of the relay to give the community a chance to show its appreciation for these brave individuals.

Another highlight of the relay will be the Luminary Ceremony at 9 p.m. The lighting of these special candles placed in weighted bags will give participants the opportunity to celebrate the lives of those who have survived cancer and pay tribute to those who have been lost to the disease.

The luminaries will be placed around the track, and each one will be lit either in honor or in memory of someone who has struggled with cancer. The names of the individuals will be prominently displayed on the bags.

In addition, the event is set to feature all kinds of entertainment including face painting; a dunking booth; drawings, sponsored by the "Courthouse Crowd;" a "tattoo parlor;" a county-wide electric slide; a "jail and bail," sponsored by the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office; and the "Miss Relay for Life Pageant."

Among the lovely contestants vying for this year's title are Miss Jasmine Dukes a/k/a Jasper Dukes, Miss Jimmy Faye Butler a/k/a Jimmy Butler, Miss Paris Hilton a/k/a Coach Roderick Hilton, Miss Ernestine Doss a/k/a Ernie Doss, Miss Paulina Rentz a/k/a Paul Rentz, Miss Bridgette Hogan a/k/a Byron Hogan, Miss Judy Gibson a/k/a Jody Gibson, Miss Tina Turner a/k/a Clay Turner, Miss Rita Norman a/k/a Rico Norman, Miss Lashawn Davis a/k/a Coach Shawn Davis, and Miss Lottie Walker a/k/a Walker Norman.

The musicians and other performers who will be on hand to make this year's relay a success include Fancy Footworks, Renee Harper Hall, Renee Bolton, the Tax Office Blues Band, the Faith Tabernacle Praise Team, the First Baptist Church Mime Team, the Parks Grove Holiness Church Praise Team, the First Assembly of God Choir, the Cox Family Trio, ballroom dancers Judy Jordan and Derek Ritter, Jennifer Poss Ashworth, the LCHS Band, Bernard Harrison, Barbara Boddie, and Brenda Starbuck.

The community is heartily encouraged to come out and spend the night at the football field while helping support the fight against cancer.

For more information about the Lincoln County ACS Relay for Life, contact Mildred Brown at 706-3592715.