Hear ye, hear ye. Boys and girls, men and women. Step right up!

How many times have you read or even heard these words yelled out to passersby announcing a special performance under the big tent?

Well, there is a special performance going on Friday night. Even though it won’t be under one big tent, there will be many smaller tents at which you can “step right up.”

The annual Relay for Life of the Miss-Lou will be Friday. The survivors’ registraton/reception, hosted by Dr. Jack Rodriguez, will begin at 4:30 to 5:15, with the actual ceremony to begin around 6 p.m.

Fun, food, games and prizes are planned. Did we say food? What Southern person can resist the smell of onions and burgers grilling, funnel cakes frying, pulled pork sandwiches or hot dogs over the fire? Making you hungry? Good! Come down to the Vidalia Riverfront Friday night, bring your family and have supper with us.

Not only will you be satisfying your hunger pangs, but you will also be helping to satisfy the hunger pangs of finding a cure for cancer. The cancer villain does not discriminate. He doesn’t care whether you’re young or old, black or white, rich or poor, male or female. If he wants you, he’s going to find you! We’re there to help prevent that from happening!

I dare say there’s no one reading this who hasn’t been affected in some way by the villain. We have lost many in our community just in the last month to him. I don’t want him knocking on my door, and I know you don’t want him at your door either.

Bring your friends, neighbors and family members to the special performance Friday night.

Without a doubt, the stars of the show will be the survivors who have managed to escape the clutch-hold of the Villain. They are the true testament that, together, we can do it.

The Rev. Darian Duckworth is scheduled to lead the opening prayer, and Alexa Mallory will belt out the National Anthem.

War veteran Pete Smith will lead the Pledge of Allegiance, and Mayor Hyram Copeland will welcome all to the Vidalia Riverfront and the Miss-Lou Relay.

Cancer fighter Shane Seyfarth will be the survivor speaker, followed by the survivor lap and releasing of the balloons. Easy Eddie and the Partyrockers will be performing beginning at 8 p.m.

The luminary service will begin at 9 p.m., with Jordan Petty singing the luminary lap song.

This year’s added attraction will be the release of a hundred sky-lanterns, which have been purchased in memory of honor of a loved one or friend.

Jordan Petty will sing during the lighting and release of the sky-lanterns, and this promises to be a very moving addition to our luminary service.

Alexa Mallory will sing a second song at the fight back service, and cancer survivor and advocate Demetria Reed will be the speaker.

Following this, Easy Eddie will continue to perform until midnight.

I know there has to be something mentioned above that has piqued your interest, so don’t miss out.

We invite you to enjoy everything that Relay has to offer.

We know you won’t be disappointed.

 

Sherry Kiser is the 2012 chairman of the Relay for Life of the Miss-Lou.