This year’s Relay for Life of Audrain County was back in a familiar place.
Audrain County hosted its Relay for life on Saturday evening where it used to be — on The Square in downtown Mexico in front of the Audrain County Courthouse. The theme was Red, White and You Against Cancer in honor of the semiquincentennial celebrations this year.
For the past two years, the Relay for Life has been held in Hardin Park because it provided better shade. Event leader Brenda Prater said she and the Event Leadership team made the decision to return to The Square this year because it offers a better, safer place to set out luminary tributes and also provides a smoother walkway.
Prater took over organizing Audrain County’s Relay for Life two years ago. At the time, it felt like a huge undertaking, but she said it gets easier every year.
“I’m learning more all the time,” she said.
Before the opening ceremony, which started at 6 p.m. Saturday, Kevin Nance performed as well as Janet’s Dance Studio. The ceremony officially opened with a prayer led by Rev. Naftal of Mexico United Methodist Church, followed by the presentation of colors by the Centralia VFW, Pledge of Allegiance and national anthem, which was sung by Vinton Lehnen.
All of the proceeds go directly to the American Cancer Society to fund cancer research. The Event Leadership Team set a $40,000 goal this year, and as of Monday, it raised $23,808 and teams will continue to contribute to the total through September.
To purchase photo reprints, call the Mexico Ledger office at 573-581-1111.
Photos and other materials on this website are property of the Mexico Ledger and are protected by copyright law. Reproduction is unlawful. You may not duplicate this material.
