Opening Ceremonies Thank you for your patience as pictures are loading.
2005 marks the first year our area's Relay was a 24-hour event. Opening ceremonies featured a welcome by our Relay chairman, Gary Hudson, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance during the Presentation of Colors brought to the track by local Boy Scout Troop #77. With an police escort with flashing lights, cancer survivors began the Relay by walking the first lap with the option of taking a second lap with their caregiver.
Teams and Campsites 
Teams are encouraged to decorate their campsites, dress in costume, and raise money for the American Cancer Society - all of which can garner them prizes at the conclusion of the Relay. The pictures here are only a sampling of the groups we had participating. It's obvious that a lot of hard work and effort goes into the presentations, but it is very much worth it. It's not all work and no play though, some teams danced along to tunes being played by the DJ or performed skits for the visitors.
Activities 
The Fruit and Veggie Sculpting contest brought out adults and children alike. Imaginations soared and many wonders were created from healthy foods. All sorts of creatures were 'born'. A Daschund, spider and ant, and a duck were only some of the sculptures on display for judging.
The Children's Tent was the center of many of the children's activities - from being the meeting place for the Children's Lap to front-row viewing of a puppet show. Kids also participated in a poster-making contest and face-painting.
The Polyp Man Pinata was a big hit. Kids were able to take their swing at destroying the evil cancer-causing polyp. First he lost his legs, then his head and in the end, the kids were rewarded for their efforts with an outpouring of healthy snacks.
Activities were not limited to kids. The 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament played throughout the day. Each player raised money for the American Cancer Society in order to play.
The 'Arrest-a-Friend' jail is always popular. For only $2, you could have anyone 'arrested' and carted off to the 'slammer'. They could only win their freedom by answering two cancer-related questions correctly.
Entertain usThere was no lack of musical entertainment throughout the event. From our DJ, Dave, from Music Unlimited, to piano soloists, to the Ukiah Civic Light Opera and The Other Quartet - a roaming barbershop quartet, the air was filled with tunes to keep the energy levels high.
The 'Miss' Relay pageant was easily the mostly popular event. The 'ladies' were given an opportunity to say why they wanted to win 'Miss Relay 2005', followed by one hour to solicit donations. The one with the most money raised was crowned 'Miss Relay 2005'. The 'gals' raised over $2300!
The Volunteers 
An event such as this usually involves professional planning. However, the ACS Relay for Life has been almost entirely volunteer-driven since its inception in Mendocino County. A tremendous amount of hard work, dedication, and time is donated by countless people to make it a success. View the photos below and applaud those efforts and I urge you to support your own local American Cancer Society.
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