By DREW GRANTHUM/Staff Writer

Relay For Life Chilton County held its 2015 kickoff Thursday at the Alabama Power Conference Center in Clanton.

The kickoff, which saw guests treated to a lasagna dinner catered by Country Lane Too, was designed to inform those interested in participating in Relay 2015 with information about the event.

Lucy Sims, representative of the American Cancer Society, said the kickoff was a way of finishing up last year’s business and introducing the goals for 2015.

“It’s just kind of informing our participants about 2015,” she said. “The date, the theme and we have a survivor speaker. We’re really trying to grow the event.”

The kickoff also encouraged those in attendance to “dress the part” —literally.

The theme for 2015 is “Lights, Camera, Cure,” and all in attendance at the kickoff were encouraged to dress as a favorite movie character or star, with the directors dressed as the cast of the Wizard of Oz.

In addition to dinner, those in attendance heard updates on the Relay event —scheduled for April 25 from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.— such as why the event changed locations from Clanton City Park in 2014 to Goosepond Park in 2015.

“It was very, very hot last year,” Relay For Life of Chilton County chairwoman Courtney Brock told the audience. “We do realize it could be quite warm this coming year, so we hope the shade provided by Goosepond will help with this issue.”

The audience also heard from two guest speakers, Larry Mays and Jeannie Smith, as well as were introduced to the 2015 Relay For Life queens and the executive directors.

Brock told the audience the goal of the event was to raise awareness, as well as embrace those whose cancer has gone into remission as well as serve as a tribute to loved ones who have lost their lives to cancer.

“The main reason for Relay is to celebrate, remember and fight back against this horrible disease,” Brock said.