Rain couldn’t dampen the spirits of Relay for Life participants Saturday as the event moved indoors to the Atmore Area YMCA facility.

Julie Ray, committee chairwoman for the 2010 event, which benefits The American Cancer Society said teams did their part in making the day fun.

“We didn’t get to do a lot of the things we had planned for Relay,” Ray said. “The teams were very creative in putting their campsites together. It turned out to be a lot of fun for everyone.”

The parade planned as the kickoff to Saturday’s event was cancelled due to bad weather forecasts and the entire Relay for Life schedule was put into action inside.

“The luminaria ceremony was interesting,” Ray said. “Since we couldn’t have candles in the bags, we used glow sticks. Everyone was given a glow stick and we all gathered together for the ceremony and dropped the glow sticks into the bags. We had so many luminarias they were back to back.”

Ray said teams will continue to raise money for Relay for Life through July with special events still being planned.

“We are still making plans to hold an all-team yard sale,” Ray said. “The sale will give each team an opportunity to raise more money. We are still trying to find a place large enough for every team to have a space. We hope to get all of that worked out soon.”

The Atmore Community Hospital Team is continuing to raise money and has plans for a 5K Run/Walk this weekend.

Kimber Smith, team captain for the ACH group, said the run/walk is gearing up to be a big event.

“We are still taking registration for the run/walk,” Smith said. “We are hoping to have a lot of participation.”

Smith said the event is planned with runners and walkers in mind.

“There are some people who don’t run even when they are chased,” Smith said. “That’s why this is a running and a walking event.”

Pre-registration is recommended, Smith said, with the first 100 registered guaranteed an event shirt.

“We have shirts on order for the first 100 people to register,” Smith said. “Registration is $20 for each person.”

Smith said packet/shirt pick-up will begin at 7:15 a.m. Saturday with the walk/run getting underway at 8 a.m.

“Packets will be ready to be picked up in the south parking lot of the hospital near the helipad,” Smith said. “That will be the start and finish line for the event.”

Drivers are encouraged to heed the route for the event and be mindful of those walking and running along the way.

The route, which begins on East Laurel Street, will wind through to Old Bratt Road/Horner Street to Pensacola Avenue to Pine Street and on to Fifth Avenue and ending back at the East Laurel Street point.

“We have planned the event so that those who want to be done in time for opening ceremonies at Mayfest will be done,” Smith said. “We are looking forward to this.”

To pre-register for the ACH-sponsored 5K Run/ Walk, contact Smith at 368-6378 or 251-253-3283.

To make a contribution to benefit the American Cancer Society, contact any Relay for Life team member.

For more photos see atmorefocus.com.