Vidalia — The people of the Miss-Lou are over $54,000 poorer after a series of related incidents on Friday night and Saturday morning.

Some of the money turned up in a duck pond. Some was found near two basketball hoops, and even more was discovered when a fortune teller left the area.

But by Saturday morning the money was in the hands of the authorities and ready to be turned over to its rightful owner — the American Cancer Society.

Janis Holder, chairman for the local Relay for Life, said the $54,000 raised through Relay night events brings the total amount to be donated to approximately $194,000.

She said this year’s Friday night fundraising was one of the best ever and credited the success to creativity.

“The teams really did a lot of new and exciting things this year,” Holder said.

She said many of the teams targeted one age range known for its spending power — children.

“We had a lot of activities geared toward children,” Holder said. “And any time you have activities for kids, you get the parents out there spending money.”

Teams bringing in the most money were Natchez Markets, with over $17,000 raised ,and Britton and Koontz Bank, with over $13,000 contributed.

Vidalia Lower Elementary won the booth decorating contest with its Gilligan’s Island themed booth.

The Walmart team won the award for the most laps walked, and Walmart Manager Lionel Stepter walked the most laps of anyone with 75 laps completed.

But it wasn’t just the fishing games and horseback riding that was bringing in the green. Holder said there were lots of full bellies to compliment the empty wallets that were leaving the riverfront Relay for Life site.

“Once we talked about the good food that was going to be out there, I think a lot of people came out and ate supper with us,” Holder said. “Some of the food out there rivaled food from Emeril’s down in New Orleans.”

While the food and games may have brought in the dough, Holder said what really makes a difference is the community support.

She said it is a community event that breaks down all barriers.

“It is all about the community, and (the community) coming together for a great cause,” she said. “Every race, age and income level was represented in some way.”