An effort to raise funds for the American Cancer Society is expected to rock the house Saturday evening at T.A. Dugger.
Featuring alumni from the Elizabethton High School Class of 1970, the Blue Fox Band will take center stage for the third annual Rock Reunion concert to benefit the Relay For Life of Carter County organization. The event will last from 6 to 8 p.m. and admission is free for the general public but donations will be encouraged throughout the evening.
“This is one event we’ve definitely been excited for,” Kathy Thomason, publicity chair for the county Relay For Life chapter, said. “The band visited different media outlets all last week, we’ve had flyers placed around the city, it’s been shared on Facebook. We’re definitely excited for Saturday. We know there are a lot of things going on Saturday but we hope to see a great crowd out and that everyone has a great time.”
Blue Fox Band is comprised of Andy Houston, Berry “Corky” Jolly, Jim Bass, John Gardner, Lee Gouge, Tony Rominger, Randy Campbell and a host of friends. Attendees for the event can expect a variety of old school rock, Thomason added, with the group delving into the tunes from ’60s, ’70s and ’80s.
During the recent stop to the Elizabethton Star, the band alluded to the fact the concert provides a family friendly atmosphere while incorporating different guest performers during the night.
And while the tunes will be flowing, the goal is to make an impact on a disease that affects millions, the band added.
“Cancer has touched so many people,” Bass told the Elizabethton Star. “My wife is going through breast cancer now. She’s been through her chemotherapy, her radiation treatment and she’s going to finish up with reconstructive surgery. My plight is to push awareness about the disease. You’ve got to think about not laying down, but moving forward and being determined to defeat this disease.”
The Rock Reunion tends to be one of the group’s biggest fundraising opportunities. Currently for 2017, the county’s Relay For Life has raised almost $7,400 according to Thomason.
“We appreciate all the support we’ve received from the community,” she said. “We just encourage people to keep showing their support.”
The proof is in the product when Thomason went over the amount of teams currently involved with Relay For Life. During Thursday’s check-in, the chair noted that 18 teams have signed on to make a pledge to help raise funds and take part in the upcoming Relay For Life walk, tentatively scheduled to take place at the track located beside T.A. Dugger Junior High School.
Citizens looking to get involved with Relay For Life have an opportunity on Thursday, April 6, by taking part in the organization’s regularly scheduled monthly meeting set for 5:45 p.m. inside Medical Care of Elizabethton.
“Thursday’s meeting is very important for new teams,” Thomason said. “We’ll be providing information to teams and how to prepare for the Relay For Life season. Whether you are a new team, or looking for a new team, Thursday’s meeting will be a very important one to attend.”
Thomason also added that luminaires are still available. The bags are used during the Relay For Life walk event and will be lit when darkness hits the track to honor families and loved ones that have been or currently affected by cancer. Bags can be purchased for $5 and can be picked up at any local Edward Jones office or can be picked up the night of the event.
Other events coming up includes a movie night at the State Line Drive-In, the chair added. The movie is scheduled to take place the Thursday night before Good Friday as the facility will show a family-friendly movie. Proceeds from the event will go to benefit the American Cancer Society.
For more information on how to form a team, upcoming events or to make a donation, visit the Relay For Life of Carter County, Tn Facebook page online or contact Thomason at (423) 542-1181.