Hundreds of people turned out for Crenshaw County’s Relay for Life, held last Friday night at Turner Park in Luverne.

Some 16 local teams raised over $52,000 for cancer research, according to Liz McGrath, community representative for Relay for Life.

“We still have money coming in,” said McGrath, who added that any money raised between now and the end of August can still be counted toward the Relay total.

That gives the county time to reach the goal of $80,500 that was set before the event.

Friday night’s festivities kicked off with opening ceremonies at 6 p.m., which included a lap led by cancer survivors and their families.

Throughout the night, theme laps were held, including a flip-flop lap, sports lap, Hawaiian lap, crazy hat lap, Mardi Gras lap and others.

A special Locks of Love ceremony was held, where more than 10 people donated their hair to help make wigs for chemotherapy patients.

At 9 p.m., the lights in the stadium were cut for the Luminaria ceremony as the names of those who have fought cancer and those who have survived.

A womanless beauty pageant followed the Luminaria ceremony, and the night closed with the awards ceremony.

Winners of Relay for Life awards include:
Top team: Hometown Medical (over $11,000)
Top team per capita: South Luverne Baptist Church
Top individual fundraiser: Edna Ruth Norsworthy
Relay champion (most Relay bucks): Luverne High School
Spirit of Relay: Danielville Baptist Church

For more information about donating to Relay for Life, visit www.relay forlife.org/crenshaw or contact Liz McGrath at liz.mcgrath@cancer.org or 770-1652.