2007 photo -- LeAnne Akin 2007 photo -- LeAnne Akin Luminaries shime with message of hope and love 2007 photo -- LeAnne Akin Mr. Hot Legs is taking place of the long-running Miss Relay pageant in which this beauty competed last year

Relay for Life in Barrow County begins on Friday at W. Clair Harris Stadium with teams gathering to participate in the fight against cancer.

Continuing through the night to celebrate, Barrow County is going "Back to the Basics," celebrating those many survivors who are with us everyday and remembering those we have lost but not forgotten.

Survivors are reminded to pick up their T-shirts and wristbands on Wednesday between 4-6:30 p.m. at The Peoples Bank Operational Building (behind the main office building); Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Barrow Regional Medical Center Atrium or on Friday at the Relay Hospitality tent beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Lots of fun is in store for this all night celebration. For the kids there will be inflatables, an obstacle course, sumo wrestling, giant slide, dunking booth with high school principals and other school officials getting wet, a bungee run and a Wii game for people to play, Also a basketball competition will be held for a Serta Mattress and putting competitions are planned by two differents teams for prizes.

Drawings will be held for: a gas Grill from Home Depot; diamond earrings from Evans Jewel Box; GA rug from Diamond Carpets; 6 month family Membership to Y; and a UGA Blackout print from Harris Art Design. Purchase one ticket for $5; 3 for $10; or 5 for $20.

Mr. Hot Legs will be the newest addition to the Relay for Life fundraising lineup. The contestants will be hoping their legs will be judged the hottest.

The Hot Legs contest will feature Doug Garrison, Murray Kogod, Jud Smith, Brad Akins, Dr. Ron Saunders, Currie Mingledorff, Terry England, Mayor Chip Thompson, Brad Smith and Chris Maddox and Sharon Rampey will serve as emcee.

The Survivor's Lap is the ceremonial first lap of the Relay For Life. If you or someone you know is a cancer survivor, even if you are not on a team, you are invited to walk this ceremonial first lap. Special T-shirts will be given to each survivor. Before the first lap, survivors and a (1) caregiver are invited to meet at the survivor hospitality tent for food, drink and other festivities.

Stay and experience the tradition and beauty of the touching Luminaria Ceremony that follows at sundown. Candles placed in luminatia bags are purchased prior to, and at the event for a minimum donation of $5. They are lit in honor of friends and loved ones who have conquered or are battling cancer, and in memory of those who have lost their battle.

Make your donation on-line at http://events.cancer.org/rflbarrowga.

The American Cancer Society is here for you at 1-800-ACS-2345 or log on to www.cancer.org ...24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Originally published Wednesday, May 14, 2008