The Relay for Life main event, a culmination of months of fundraising and preparation, got off with a bang Saturday at Strom Thurmond High School’s football field.

Carrying the banner were Edgefield County Hospital Employee survivors, with a total of 60 survivors in all leading the walk. The hospital alone has lost four employees to cancer and has a total of 13 survivors.

“We’re real pleased with the turn-out,” said Chairperson Sharen Fay. “It was real hot. Some left and came back later. We prayed that it wouldn’t rain and the Lord sent us sunshine —lots of it. Of course, it added six hours of daylight when we changed the Relay event from Friday to Saturday.”

Other walkers fell in place behind the survivors, with someone from each team on the track at all times, from starting time of 1 p.m. Saturday until 1 a.m. Sunday.

Shortly after starting time, sounds of the “The Roadsmen” drifted out over the field with gospel favorites such as “Kneel at the Cross” and “Power in the Blood” and later changed to country favorites such as “Folsom Prison Blues.” A breeze now and then made the heat a little more bearable. Those under tents said they were quite comfortable with the breeze and some had fans blowing. Brightly decorated booths offered all kinds of goodies and Ben Rushton of “Ben’s Therapeutic Body Work” even enjoyed a massage himself, given by his assistant, Terri Decker. Kids enjoyed the jump castles and small and “big kids” alike enjoyed “The Jail.” Other games were also available for the children, including face painting.

Entertainment continued by various groups throughout the duration and all types of food were for sale. Booths even offered sunscreen and Gatorade to counteract the effects of the sun.

Miss Baby Relay for Life Elizabeth Kay Slowinski didn’t seem to be bothered by all the commotion as she sat in her carrier watching the activities.

Fay described the Luminary Service at 10 p.m. as, “Awesome, beautiful!”

 During the service, lights are turned off and luminary bags around the field, purchased in honor of or in memory of someone, are lit. A Power Point presentation flashes pictures of cancer survivors or victims on the screen and their names are called out.

“It’s one of the most moving parts of the event,” she said.

Winning teams this year include: Edgefield First Baptist Church, The 2010 Most Decorated Site; Providence Baptist Church, Best Theme, “Take a Bite Out of Cancer”; Wardlaw Academy, Most Spirited; Parker Elementary, Most Money Raised, with over $6,000; Biggest Corporate Sponsor, Bi-Lo with over $12,000; Most Money Raised By a Youth, Lillie Jackson; Best Rookie Team, Fox Creek High School.  The Golden Spatula Awards went to Bible Baptist for their smoked chicken plate and to Strom Thurmond High School for their sweet iced tea.

‘All in all, it was a great day,” said Fay. “The Relay year doesn’t end until August, but I feel comfortable we will exceed our $60,000 goal. Over 60 people stayed to the very end and the last lap.”

She added, “I want to thank all the volunteers, the survivors, the community, all the corporate sponsors and all those who helped make it a success.”