The 13th Annual Scotland County Relay for Life kicks off tonight at 6 p.m. at Pate Stadium.

Weather forecasts predict fair weather for most of the event, though there is a slight chance for thunderstorms tonight.

Thomas Stewart, Relay for Life co-chair, said the 24-hour long event has three goals.

"The first goal is to celebrate cancer survivorship. There are a lot of people in this area that suffer from cancer and it's a big goal for us to celebrate the victories that they have made. The second goal is to heighten awareness in the community and educate people about cancer and its early warning signs. The third goal is to raise funds for the American Cancer Society to inevitably wipe out cancer."

"The relay, a 24-hour event, is a big celebration of cancer survivorship and the successes we have had this year in making strides against cancer."

Thomas said the economic downturn has taken its toll on Relay, as well as other area nonprofits.

"If you ask anyone if this has been a good year, I don't think anyone would say yes. You may have one or two who say yes, but for the most part its been a tough year and we are no exception to that."

He still expects Relay to have a good haul from Scotland County.

"We feel very positive and we know we are going to have a very successful year. We know it's not going to be what it was last year, which was our best year ever. We're going to do the best we can and that's all we can do.

"No matter how bad the economy gets and no matter how bad the unemployment rate is and no matter how bad times are, there are still people who are highly energized to bring an end to cancer and it is very, very obvious to us in the participation we've had this year and in the hard work and dedication we've seen this year."

Schedule of Events:

Friday

6 pm OPENING CEREMONY - CELEBRATE

7 pm Tommy Black & Bloze Beach and Boogie Band

8:30 pm LUMINARY CEREMONY -REMEMBER

10 pm Jackie Lockamy – Country Artist

11 pm Line Dancing – DJ Shine

SATURDAY

midnight Relay Raffle (Relay with your friends for Prizes!)

2 am Pajama Walk

9:30 am Chris Locklear – Solo Gospel Vocalist

10 am Karen Gibson School of Dance

11 am Relay Olympics (Team Games)

1 pm Positive Charge – Classic Rock Band

1 pm Neece Locklear

2 pm Music by Grace Baptist Church

5 pm Raffle Winners Announced

5:30 pm CLOSING CEREMONY – FIGHT BACK

The opening ceremony will have cancer survivor Cindy Coble and Dr. Kelvin B. Raybon of the Scotland Cancer Treatment Center as speakers. The presentation of the angel award and the community manager award will also take place.

This will be followed by the survivor lap, where cancer survivors make the inaugural walk around the lap. This is followed by the caregiver lap and the team parade.

A luminary ceremony will be held at 8:30 p.m. in memory of Amanda Guffey, who lost her battle with cancer earlier this year. Julia McLean will speak to the audience. Amy Grooms, a cancer survivor, and Sally McCormick, will give a presentation.

The closing ceremony at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday will have a presentation of awards and an announcement of the total raised by Relay for Life. It will end with the 2009 Hope Lap.