On Friday, April 16, people from across the county will take part in the annual Relay for Life celebration, a fund-raising event to help the American Cancer Society.

Throughout the last several weeks, people and Relay for Life team members have been raising money to benefit the American Cancer Society. Relay for Life is the primary fund-raising event for the ACS.

People are encouraged to purchase luminaria — or candlelit bags bearing the names of friends or family who have cancer or who have died from cancer. At the main Relay for Life event, the luminaria are lit as a glowing tribute to those who are survivors of or victims of the disease. The cost for luminaria is $5 each, $10 to have a photo added. Luminaria forms are available at several locations. For more information about luminaria, contact luminaria chair Shelia Snow at (334) 289-0637.

Marengo County Relay for Life presented by Amedisys Home Health Services begins at the River Field in Demopolis on Friday at 4:30 p.m. with the registration for the survivor dinner, with the dinner beginning at 5 p.m. The opening ceremony gets under way at 6 p.m. with emcee Gus “Daddy D” of WZNJ-FM. The survivor lap begins the Relay, followed by the caregiver lap and the parade of teams.

Luminaria sales will begin at 6:30 p.m. and continue to 8 p.m. The luminaria ceremony will begin at 8:45 p.m., and the closing ceremony will be held at 11:15 p.m.

Several events raising money for the American Cancer Society are going on this week in preparation for the Relay for Life main event on Friday:

The Robertson Banking Company Relay team is sponsoring a yard sale on Saturday, April 10, from 7 a.m. to noon at 407 S. Walnut Ave. in Demopolis.

On Saturday at 11 a.m., the second annual “Bark for Life” dog show sponsored by WalMart is being held in the Demopolis city park downtown. Registration begins at 10 a.m., and the entry cost is $20. Participants will receive a Relay for Life T-shirt and a raffle ticket.

The Walk for Life Relay team will have its first “Walk for Life” event on Sunday beginning at 1 p.m. The team will walk from Linden to Demopolis in memory of Leigh Ward Abrams. The 14.6-mile walk will begin at the Marengo Nursing Home and will end at West Alabama Radio at 1226 Jefferson Road.

The SouthernCare Hospice Relay team is selling raffle tickets for $1. Prizes include a DVD player, J.C.’s Bar-B-Q certificate, Southern Care umbrella, Southern Care spectator chair, oil changes and more. For information, call Patricia Gaddy at 289-9522.