Relay for Life will fight cancer this weekend with 24 hours of fun and games.

The schedule for the fifth annual Moore County Relay for Life includes music, cloggers, baton twirlers, a “Relay Olympics,” gymnastics and Tae Kwan Do demonstrations, a chili cook-off, a talent show and five hours of “intramural sports.”

There will even be a campsite judging for those who spend Saturday night at the Pinecrest High School athletic stadium, where the Relay will be held.

Moore County Relay for Life 2000 is a 24-hour walking marathon at the Pinecrest High School athletic stadium from noon on Saturday to noon on Sunday. Members of teams take turns walking or running around the school track, with at least one member of each team on the track at all times. Team members collect money in sponsorships prior to the event. The sale of memorabilia and other items, plus corporate sponsorships, add to the proceeds.

The goal is to raise $200,000 for the American Cancer Society to use in cancer research and treatment.

Donations are solicited throughout the 24-hour event. But there is no admission charge, and no one who isn’t a team member is expected to stay for the whole thing.

Relay for Life 2000 will begin with the Joan Miller Cancer Survivors Lap, starting at 12:30 p.m. Saturday. Cancer survivors who wish to walk on Survivors Lap are asked to be at the Pinecrest track by noon.

Members of the survivors’ families will join them for the second lap. Everyone in the stadium will be invited to join in for the third lap.

Teams will begin the Relay for Life with the fourth lap. More than 100 teams are registered to participate.

Each team has from 10 to 12 members. Each team member has paid a $10 registration fee and will wear a Relay for Life T-shirt.

The goal is for each team member to raise at least $100 in sponsorships from friends and acquaintances. Donations are not based on miles to be run or walked.

Luminarias

A highlight of the 24-hour event will be the lighting of luminarias (candles in white paper bags, anchored by sand) at 9 p.m. on Saturday.

Anyone may “purchase” a luminaria for a minimum donation of $10 prior to the lighting ceremony. Each luminaria will bear the name of any person — cancer survivor, cancer victim, or anyone else — designated by the purchaser.

The luminarias will be placed around the perimeter of the Pinecrest track at the start of the Relay for Life and will be lighted at 9 p.m.

Other fundraising activities include the sale of large purple bows to honor cancer survivors and others, a “silent auction,” concessions and the sale of various types of memorabilia, profits from which are to be donated to Relay for Life.

Six cars will be given away in a drawing at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday.

Donors to Relay for Life entered their names for the drawing at the six participating dealerships in Moore County — Bill Clark Chevrolet Cadillac Oldsmobile, Bill Smith Ford, McBrayer Chrysler Dodge Jeep, Phillips Ford, Pinehurst Toyota, and Toby Wells Pontiac Buick.

The “Smart Shop,” open from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, will feature free information on cancer research and treatment, including information from health-care providers in Moore County and the Sandhills area.

Sunrise Service

Attending the Sunday morning Relay events does not mean having to miss church services. There will be a sunrise service at 7 a.m. in the athletic stadium.

The Rev. Eric Joyce will speak. Southern Pines United Methodist Church members will pass the collection plates. Jill Dejak and Pat Felder will sing, accompanied by Sarah Carrington at the piano and a team of sacred dancers.

Entertainment is planned throughout the event.

“The schedule we have is preliminary,” Entertainment Chairman Debbie McGahey told The Pilot Thursday. “But we’ve pinned down the time for most events. The final schedule will be printed in the programs that will be handed out to people who attend on Saturday and Sunday.”

The activities actually will get under way at 8 a.m. Saturday, when teams start setting up their campsites. Newly organized teams will have a chance to register for the Relay from 8 a.m. to 12 noon.

Master of Ceremonies Mike Martin will welcome participants and spectators for the opening ceremony at noon. Other opening speakers will include Relay for Life Chairman Grant Roper and Honorary Chairman Clark Cox.

The chili cook-off begins at 1:30 p.m. The Relay Olympics begins at 4:15 p.m. Team photographs will be made beginning at 8:30 p.m. For the hardiest team members, “intramural sports” will be played from 1 a.m. to 6 a.m.

Entertainers scheduled to appear on Saturday are:

1:30 p.m. — Sophisticated Ladies

2 p.m. — Jack Cramer and Band

2:30-4 p.m. and 4:30-5 p.m. — DJ Skip Ellis

4 p.m. — Southern Stars Baton Twirling Team

5 p.m. — Sandhills Academy of Gymnastics

5:30 p.m. — Cheer Stars Elite

6 p.m. — Whitness Gospel Band

7 p.m. — Academy of Tae Kwon Do

7 p.m. — Sketchbook band (featuring the song “Make a Difference”)

8 p.m. — Quick Silver Cloggers

9:30 p.m. — Whitness Gospel Band